Could selective breeding help coral reefs cope with climate change?

Aug 24, 2021

Selective breeding could act as a lifeline for these corals, helping them survive previously intolerable temperatures.

Could selective breeding save our corals and our oceans? Image: Anna Scott, Author provided

Emily Howells

Senior Research Fellow in Marine Biology, , Southern Cross University

David Abrego

Lecturer, National Marine Science Centre, , Southern Cross University

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Platygyra, a brain-shaped coral found in many parts of the world. Image: Emily Howells, Author provided

Platygyra larvae. It remains to be seen whether the genetic benefits of heat-tolerance genes persist throughout life. Image: Emily Howells, Author provided

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