Coral Reefs More Resilient Than Thought

A U.S. study has determined the world’s coral reefs might be more resilient than previously thought.

Florida Institute of Technology research suggests the impact of coral reef bleaching, believed to be caused by global warming, might be mitigated through effective local management.

The finding stems from research by a team of scientists recording the long-term recovery of coral reefs found near the Pacific Ocean island nation of Palau and elsewhere.

It appears that coral reefs are very resilient and can bounce back magnificently if subjected to good management practices and 10 years or so of pristine conditions, said Robert van Woesik, one of the authors of a new study showing that reefs off Palau, Micronesia, have recovered surprisingly well from a 1998 bleaching event caused by high sea water temperatures.

Van Woesik, a professor of biological sciences at Florida Institute of Technology, and colleagues report the findings in the April issue of the journal Coral Reefs.