Heat and disease are a deadly combo for coral reefs

Heat and disease pose a deadly combination for coral reefs, according to a new study. Researchers found that corals with preexisting disease conditions were particularly vulnerable to heat stress. Water quality plays a significant role in coral health, with poor water quality often leading to more severe disease. Improved local water quality could help protect coral reefs from these deadly threats.

The study also revealed that focusing restoration efforts on the edges of the reefs could increase the chances of coral survival during heatwaves. Certain types of coral, such as elkhorn coral, experienced catastrophic losses during the 2023 heatwave. Coral reefs are crucial to both humans and the natural world, and protecting them requires addressing local pollution and improving water quality.