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Coral reefs are in crisis. Rising ocean temperatures driven by climate change are pushing these ecosystems to the brink, with mass bleaching events becoming more frequent and severe.

But what if nature already holds part of the solution?

New research led by UTS demonstrates that corals that naturally thrive in extreme environments, often referred to as "super corals," could be used in restoration efforts to protect vulnerable reef systems.

The research in the journal Science Advances and offers compelling evidence that these resilient corals can retain their heat tolerance even after being moved to more stable reef habitats.

"We're facing a situation where traditional restoration methods aren't enough," said Dr. Christine Roper, lead researcher on the study.

"Unfortunately, we can't immediately remove stressors like heat from the ocean. However, there are corals that have adapted to survive in extreme conditions."

The study focused on corals from mangrove lagoons near the Low Isles on the Great Barrier Reef. These environments are known for their harsh conditions such as fluctuating temperatures, low oxygen, and low salinity.

Researchers transplanted these corals to a nearby reef one kilometer away and monitored them for a year. Despite the more stable conditions, the corals retained their elevated heat tolerance.

Dr. Roper said gene expression analysis shows the transplanted corals activate pathways associated with DNA repair, metabolism, and homeostasis, all key mechanisms that help them survive heat stress.

"This suggests that their resilience is not just environmental but deeply embedded in their biology," said Dr. Roper.

"This is a significant development," she said. "Until now, we didn't know if these traits would persist outside their native habitat. Our findings show that they do, and that opens the door to using these corals in restoration efforts."

The concept is similar to agricultural practices where drought-resistant crops are propagated to improve food security.

In the same way, stress-tolerant corals could be selected and outplanted to boost the resilience of reef sites that are ecologically or economically significant. Low Isles, for example, is a high-value reef that supports tourism and local livelihoods.

The approach is not without challenges. Critics may point to the risks of moving corals between environments, including potential ecological disruption or failure to acclimate.

Dr. Roper acknowledges these concerns.

"We're not saying this is a silver bullet," she said. "It's one tool in the toolbox. Any intervention must be carefully assessed through risk-benefit analysis. But doing nothing is no longer an option."

The urgency is undeniable. Coral reefs support 25% of marine life and provide billions of dollars in economic value through fisheries, tourism, and coastal protection. Yet they are among the most vulnerable ecosystems to climate change.

"By harnessing nature's own resilience, it's possible to buy time for coral reefs and the communities that depend on them," said Dr. Roper.

But Dr. Roper is clear: This strategy must go hand in hand with urgent climate action. "Restoration alone won't save our reefs. We need to address climate change if we want these ecosystems to survive in the long term.

"Super corals can help us hold the line, but the real solution is drastically reducing the carbon emissions that are driving this crisis."