Heat-tolerant corals found in Great Barrier Reef boost hopes for survival
Discovery offers hope that these naturally resilient corals could play a critical role in helping the Great Barrier Reef survive heat stress due to climate crisis

Stuti Mishra

Scientists have uncovered coral colonies in the Great Barrier Reef that can withstand higher temperatures than previously thought, boosting hopes for the survival of corals that have been under dire threat in recent years.

A study published on Monday found that certain corals have a greater ability to resist bleaching, a condition where corals lose their vibrant colour and are at risk of dying when exposed to heat stress, a more frequent and longer phenomenon now due to the climate crisis.

This discovery offers hope that these naturally resilient corals could play a critical role in helping the Great Barrier Reef, which is experiencing its fourth global mass bleaching event due to record-high sea temperatures, survive.

Researchers at Southern Cross University tested over 500 colonies of the table coral acropora hyacinthus from 17 different locations across the Great Barrier Reef.

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