A long-term study of Hawaiian coral species has just been analyzed by researchers and they now have unexpectedly optimistic opinion on the survival chances of coral colonies in more acidic and warmer waters due to climate change.
Though researchers did want to be clear amidst their celebration of the analysis that three coral species did suffer significant mortality under the simulated future conditions. Some of the specifies experienced a 50% death rate.
However, the fact remains that none of them died off completely and some were even thriving by study’s end. Researchers believe this new evidence suggests a strong hope for the future of coral reefs in warmer more acidic environment.
Researchers were overjoyed with the positive outcomes in their which they stated is a pretty rare occurrence when it comes to studying coral mortality in warming oceans.
And there is more good news. Not only are the findings more optimistic than usual, but they are also probably more realistic according to scientists. This study lasted 22 months while the average coral study length is as short as days up to five months.
Researchers stated that some aspects of coral biology take a long time to change. Often coral will have a negative initial reaction to stressors but will bounce back if given time. A short-term study only sees part of the arch of major environmental change and its affect on coral.