Conservation Science
Photo by Ryan Pernofski
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Adopt a Coral or Support the Whole Reef?
If you’ve ever searched for ways to help coral reefs, you’ve probably come across the opportunity to “adopt a coral.” It’s easy to understand the appeal. You can picture the coral you’re helping, follow its story, and feel connected to something happening underwater thousands of miles away. And coral restoration has an important role to…
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What Does El Niño Mean for Coral Reefs?
In 1997-8, a powerful El Niño event spread across the Pacific Ocean, driving record-breaking sea surface temperatures and triggering the first documented global coral bleaching event. Reefs from the Indian Ocean to the Caribbean experienced widespread stress, and in some regions, significant coral mortality followed. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), this…
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![Coral Diversity, Where Adaptation Begins [Photo Gallery]](https://static.coral.org/uploads/2026/04/Cover-by-Ocean-Image-Bank-Noemi-Merz-scaled.jpg)
Coral Diversity, Where Adaptation Begins [Photo Gallery]
Think of a coral reef as a bustling city, full of unique homes, buildings, and landscapes. And with that, unique residents who all serve different purposes. This diversity is key to any city. The same is true underwater. The diversity of corals—along with the fish, invertebrates, and algae that live among them—is what keeps reef…
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Why Connected Reefs Matter for the Future of Coral Conservation
Coral reefs are facing more pressure than ever, specifically warming oceans, land-based pollution, and overfishing. But despite these growing challenges, reefs still have an incredible capacity to adapt. The key is making sure they’re healthy, connected, and supported at scale. At the Coral Reef Alliance (CORAL), our conservation strategy focuses on building connected reef networks—large,…
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![How Coral Adaptation Works and Why It Matters for Reef Survival [Video]](https://static.coral.org/uploads/2026/03/CORAL-scientist-Sarah-Severino-tests-water-turbidity-in-Molokai.jpeg)
How Coral Adaptation Works and Why It Matters for Reef Survival [Video]
Coral reefs are changing. Warmer oceans, polluted water, and shifting ecosystems are rewriting the conditions reefs have depended on for thousands of years. What often gets lost in that conversation is this: corals are not static and some even have the genetic ability to adapt. At the Coral Reef Alliance (CORAL), adaptation is not a…
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Exploring Reef Resilience Through the Science of Coral Adaptation
Coral reefs are some of the most extraordinary ecosystems on the planet. They support a quarter of all marine life, provide food and income to over a billion people, and offer a natural barrier protecting coastlines from storms and erosion. But these vibrant underwater cities face increasing pressure from climate change, overfishing, pollution, and more.…
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The Hidden Costs of Untreated Wastewater
We are committed to protecting the world’s coral reefs, which support 25% of all marine species and sustain the livelihoods of millions worldwide. This work is challenging. Reefs face many threats, from overfishing to climate-driven coral bleaching. Yet one of the most serious—and often overlooked—threats is untreated wastewater, a growing global problem that increasingly endangers…
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How Fish Biomass Supports Healthy Coral Reefs
Imagine a coral reef without fish—silent, unbalanced, and struggling to survive. Fish biomass, the total weight of fish in an ecosystem, is essential for healthy reefs. From parrotfish grazing on algae to sharks keeping prey populations in check, every species plays a role. But when overfishing, habitat destruction, or climate change disrupt this delicate balance,…
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2024 Greatest Hits of the CORAL Blog
2024 has been a remarkable year for coral reef conservation, with educational, informational, and inspirational stories taking center stage. Because of people like YOU, we’re able to bring these stories to life and make a profound impact on coral reefs around the world, as well as the communities that depend on them. Below are our…