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科普聚焦-3类常见的夏威夷珊瑚品种比以前认为的更能适应气候变化（中国科普博览官网）
2025-02-14人已围观
科普聚焦-3类常见的夏威夷珊瑚品种比以前认为的更能适应气候变化
Three Common Coral Species Could Survive Climate Change Better Than Once Believed, Scientists Say
REPORT | A new study spanning 22 months has revealed that three common coral species in Hawaii may have a stronger adaptability to rising sea temperatures than previously thought. This research suggests they can withstand an average increase of 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit, which is the critical limit set by the Paris Agreement.
Factors Threatening Hawaiian Corals
Coral reefs are known to be extremely sensitive to the effects of global warming caused by climate change. According to NBC News, the 22-month study indicates that three common coral species in Hawaii might be more resilient to ocean temperature rise than initially believed. These species can endure temperatures up to the critical threshold defined by the Paris Agreement.
The study, titled “A 22-Month Investigation of Physiological Adaptation in Hawaiian Corals to Baseline Seawater Temperature and pH Variations,” was conducted by researchers from The Ohio State University and published in the journal Scientific Reports.
The research simulated future ocean temperature and acidity conditions. While up to half of the species did not survive, none were completely eradicated. By the end of the study, some corals were even thriving.
Rowan McLachlan, a Ph.D. student in The Ohio State University’s Department of Earth Sciences and the lead author of the study, expressed optimism about the future survival prospects of corals due to these findings.
“We found surprisingly positive results in our study. In the field of coral research, we don’t get a lot of good news when it comes to the impact of warming oceans,” McLachlan told The Ohio State News.
One of the co-authors, Andrea G. Grottoli, Distinguished Professor of Earth Science at The Ohio State University, noted that the long duration of the study makes these findings more relevant than previous shorter studies. Most comparable studies typically last only a few days to five months.
“Some aspects of coral biology take a long time to adapt. When under stress, there’s an initial decline, but after sufficient time, corals can readjust and return to normal,” explained Grottoli. “A five-month study only captures part of the response.”
The continuous rise in atmospheric carbon dioxide levels leads to ocean warming, with approximately 25% of CO? dissolving into the oceans, causing increased ocean acidity. Both factors pose significant dangers to corals, as highlighted by Grottoli in The Ohio State News.
New Window for the Experiment
During the study, samples of three of the most common Hawaiian coral species—Montipora capitata, Porites compressa, and Porites lobata—were exposed to four different marine environments. These included current ocean conditions, acidified conditions, warmed conditions, and a combination of both acidified and warmed conditions.
According to NBC News, the 40 tanks used in the study were placed next to the coral reef on Coconut Island, Hawaii, and filled with sand, crustaceans, gravel, and fish. Natural temperature variations and pH levels were also manipulated within the tanks to closely mimic real-world conditions.
“When trying to predict the long-term impacts of climate change, it’s crucial to simulate real-world conditions. That was a key consideration in our research,” Grottoli remarked.
The results showed that 92% of the corals survived in containers simulating current conditions. However, the survival rate dropped by 31% under warming conditions alone. Both Porites species had higher survival rates under acidified and warming conditions compared to Montipora capitata. Overall survival rates were 46% for Montipora and 71% for Porites species.
“Among the surviving corals, especially within the Porites group, they adapted well and were even thriving,” McLachlan told The Ohio State News.
Grottoli suggested that Montipora may fare better in real ocean conditions because they could gain access to more plankton, which is a crucial food source during environmental stress.
However, Grottoli also pointed out that certain negative factors such as overfishing and pollution, which could adversely affect corals, were not included in this study. The robust performance of Porites species in this study might indicate a hopeful sign for the future of coral reefs globally, given their importance in reef formation.
“We indeed found something different from other studies. Perhaps it’s because our conditions are more realistic, providing them with more adaptability. This undoubtedly opens new avenues for further investigation and more comprehensive testing,” he concluded in the NBC News report.
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