According to a new study, what’s key to coral reefs surviving climate-driven heatwaves and subsequent bleaching is managing global climate change — and local conditions.

The widespread decline is fueled in part by climate-driven heat waves that are warming the world’s oceans and leading to what’s known as coral bleaching, the breakdown of the mutually beneficial relationship between corals and resident algae.

But other factors are contributing to the decline of coral reefs, as well, including pollution and overfishing.

According to a new study, «Local conditions magnify coral loss after marine heatwaves,» published in the journal Science, what’s key to coral reefs surviving climate-driven heatwaves and subsequent bleaching is managing global climate change — and local conditions.

«We found a strong signal that local conditions influenced outcomes for corals after heat-stress events,» said Mary Donovan, lead author of the study and assistant professor in the School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning at Arizona State University.

«Although some have argued that climate change is so overwhelming that conserving coral reefs on a local scale is futile, our study found that local impacts on coral reefs magnified the effects of climate-driven heatwaves,» said Donovan. «This suggests that local action to conserve coral reefs can help reefs withstand the effects of climate change.»

The importance of local conditions to reef survival is often dismissed, making those who rely on coral reefs for their livelihood or those who are stewards of the reefs feel hopeless. Yet, coral reefs are profoundly important.

Story Source:
Materials provided by Arizona State University. Original written by Robin Tricoles. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.