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.
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.
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.
Read our latest scientific articles.
Coral conservation in a warming world must harness evolutionary adaptation
To facilitate evolutionary adaptation to climate change, we must protect networks of coral reefs that span a range of environmental conditions — not just apparent ‘refugia’.… Continue Reading →
[Abstract]Participation and patrols promote sustainable fisheries in the Mesoamerican Reef Region.
Here we present a case study of Los Micos Lagoon, a coastal lagoon responsible for seeding fish biomass in sites with some of the highest live coral cover in the Mesoamerican Region, the Tela Bay (Honduras) reefs.… Continue Reading →
[Abstract] Can the Allen Coral Atlas indicate adaptive capacity of coral reefs?
We explore the extent to which habitat complexity, as detected by the Atlas, can inform adaptive capacity. Beta-diversity is a common index used to assess environmental heterogeneity within natural systems, indicating the change in species/habitat composition across a landscape.… Continue Reading →
[Abstract] A global review of coral bleaching field surveys methods
In this study, we helped address this gap by comprehensively reviewing coral bleaching field survey methods as a first step for global ground-truthing of the Allen Coral Atlas (the Atlas) satellite-based bleaching monitoring tool. To do this, we implemented both qualitative and quantitative approaches to assess the most commonly applied survey methods in published literature… Continue Reading →
Assessing the potential for demographic restoration and assisted evolution to build climate resilience in coral reefs
Interest is growing in developing conservation strategies to restore and maintain coral reef ecosystems in the face of mounting anthropogenic stressors, particularly climate warming and associated mass bleaching events…… Continue Reading →
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.
Science Stories
What is Coral Restoration, and Can it Save Coral Reefs?
Can coral restoration save coral reefs? That’s a question we at CORAL have been asked time and time again. It’s a good question—but it’s also a complex one. The answer may not be what you think. The Risks with Growing and Planting Corals In many scientific communities, “coral restoration” refers to the act of growing… Continue Reading →
3 Win-Win Approaches to Address Climate Change AND Save Coral Reefs
By Ben Charo, Global Conservation Science Program Coordinator Coral reefs face a difficult and uncertain future. According to a recent UN climate report, the Earth is currently on track to warm by 2.5 degrees Celsius by 2100, enough to wipe out 99% of reefs. We must reduce greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 50% in the… Continue Reading →
Scientists Believe Evolution Could Save Coral Reefs, If We Let It
Research shows protecting “hot reefs” is key to saving coral reefs OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA – September 16, 2022 – Coral reefs can adapt to climate change if given the chance to evolve, according to a study led by Coral Reef Alliance, Rutgers University, the University of Washington and other institutions. The recent study, published in the… Continue Reading →
Could Underwater Thermometers Help Save Coral Reefs from Climate Change?
Forty underwater temperature loggers now sit underwater on coral reefs across the Bay Islands in Honduras. Their purpose? To identify the temperature range that corals can withstand and typically experience within a year. These ONSET TidBits, as they’re known, measure water temperatures every minute and store the data internally. Every four to five months, a… Continue Reading →
Coral Reefs Can Adapt to Climate Change – Here’s How
By: Ben Charo, Conservation Science Program Coordinator If we don’t curb greenhouse gas emissions and slow the warming of our oceans, 99% of the world’s coral reefs are predicted to be gone by the end of this century. Indeed, reefs are already in serious decline. So it might surprise you to hear that within the… Continue Reading →
Coral Restoration 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, monitor coral bleaching, 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… Continue Reading →
Our 2022 Impact: Protecting Coral Reefs that Can Adapt to Climate Change
Could a map be used to estimate the likelihood that a coral reef can adapt to climate change? That’s one of the biggest questions driving our Global Conservation Science team these days. In collaboration with the Allen Coral Atlas (the Atlas), a global map and monitoring system for shallow water coral reefs, we are leading… Continue Reading →
The Allen Coral Atlas Introduces the First Comprehensive Map of Shallow Water Coral Reefs
On September 8, 2021, it was officially announced that a comprehensive map and monitoring system of the world’s shallow water coral reefs, the Allen Coral Atlas, was completed. This tremendous effort was led by Arizona State University in collaboration with scientists, universities, private entities, and NGOs across the globe—including the Coral Reef Alliance. The tool… Continue Reading →
New Research Turns Basic Ecological Theory on its Head
In a lot of ways, corals are like trees—they stay rooted in one spot their whole lives, and they disperse their young into the environment. With many trees, their young typically fall to the ground and stay relatively close. But with corals, their young are moved by ocean currents that can carry them thousands of… Continue Reading →
Uniting A Global Coral Bleaching Response Network
Coral bleaching events make headlines every year. And each year, bleaching events have become more frequent and severe. Take Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, for example: In the last five years, the reef has been hit by three record-breaking coral bleaching events—one in 2016, one in 2017 and another in 2020. But the Allen Coral Atlas… Continue Reading →