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Coral Reef Alliance

Saving the World’s Coral Reefs

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Scientific Leadership
Community Engagement
Key Alliances

We are a leader in coral reef conservation science.

Our proactive research has shown how coral reefs can successfully adapt to the effects of climate change, if humans create the conditions that help reefs evolve naturally.

We believe that strong science, key alliances, and community engagement are essential to saving and supporting reefs.

Our current scientific work includes:

Spearheading new research into coral adaptation

We are launching, supporting, and interpreting scientific research to better understand how coral reefs adapt to climate change and the conditions that help encourage that evolutionary process. Read more about coral adaptation here.

Groundtruthing datasets

We are galvanizing a global team of scientists and conservationists to “ground truth” coral reef data that is detected by satellites through the Allen Coral Atlas partnership.

Assessing adaptation potential

We are leveraging the groundbreaking Allen Coral Atlas, plus other available datasets, to identify networks of reefs that have a higher potential of adapting to climate change so they can be prioritized in conservation efforts.

Engaging with partners

We are working with a network of experts and thought leaders in coral reef conservation to integrate the results of our scientific research into conservation interventions and policies.

Regional field work

We are incorporating adaptation science into regional conservation efforts in the Hawaiian Islands and Mesoamerican region, and building local datasets about coral reef health and water quality to inform “on the ground” conservation efforts.

Photo by Allen Coral Atlas
Photo by Antonio Busiello
Featured Science Program

Coral Bleaching Program

We’re working with the Allen Coral Atlas to unite a global network of scientists who can get into the water and confirm coral bleaching data that satellites are detecting from space.

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Read our latest scientific articles.

Evaluating the spread of stony coral tissue loss disease in the Bay Islands, Honduras

Rivera et al. 2023

Current ecological theory predicts that random networks with dispersal shortcuts connecting distant sites can promote persistence when there is no capacity for evolution. This paper demonstrates that incorporating evolution and environmental heterogeneity fundamentally alters theoretical predictions regarding persistence in ecological networks.

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Science Videos

Our scientific work is built around collaborations. It unifies academics, nonprofits, corporate partners, and conservationists, and it bridges the gap between science and communities. Our work at the local level involves communities in science that typically occurs behind closed doors—our coral reefs are better off when we are all empowered with more information.

Restoring Native Forest Ecosystems in Maui, Hawaii

In the Wahikuli Watershed in Maui, Hawai‘i, the CORAL field team restores native forest ecosystems to protect coral reefs. In this location, extra sediment often moves down from the mountains and onto nearby reefs, causing stress to the corals. By adding native plant rows, the team is able to trap sediment and prevent it from… Continue Reading →

#CORALVoices: Ana Valdez Martinez

As the first community scientist in Trujillo, Honduras, Ana Valdez Martinez works closely with fishers to monitor their catch and help them understand what’s happening to their coral reefs and their fisheries. It’s the first time the community has had such an in-depth understanding of what’s happening underwater, and the data she collects will allow… Continue Reading →

Science Stories

Major Water Quality Issues Plaguing Coral Reefs Today

Can you imagine being constantly forced to drink, swim, and bathe in dirty, polluted water? It’s a harsh reality for many humans, yet ironically, our actions subject coral reefs to the same grim conditions. Water quality threats are a major culprit in coral decline. Among the various contaminants, untreated wastewater or sewage emerges as a… Continue Reading →

Why Clean Water is Vital for the Future of Our Oceans

As we navigate the challenges of the 21st century, the health of our oceans remains a critical concern. Oceans cover more than 70% of our planet’s surface and are integral to life on Earth. However, the future of these vast, life-sustaining waters are increasingly threatened. Ensuring our oceans are clean is not just an environmental issue… Continue Reading →

Coral Restoration Alone Likely Won’t Be Enough to Save Coral Reefs. That’s Why We Focus on Reducing Marine Threats

Why don’t we focus on coral restoration? It’s a question we, at CORAL, have been asked time and time again.  We address overfishing, minimize water pollution, support local communities, and lead cutting-edge research on coral adaptation to climate change…but we don’t generally work on coral restoration projects. Our decision comes down to the fact that… Continue Reading →

What is a Marine Protected Area (MPA)?

In the conservation and nonprofit sector, we throw around a lot of acronyms.  To our team, none are more important than “MPA” – a marine protected area. Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are designated areas of the ocean that are set aside for conservation and management purposes. These areas are intended to preserve and protect the marine… Continue Reading →

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