Scientists discover heat-resistant coral reefs across 71 countries that could help protect oceans

Scientists mapped over 64,000 square miles of heat-resistant coral reefs across 71 countries and 100 territories using artificial intelligence to analyze decades of environmental data.

The study identified climate refugia—coral areas with traits that shield, insulate, or help recovery from marine heatwaves, challenging the belief that coral reefs cannot be saved.

The research was presented at the Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa, Kenya and published on the preprint server EcoEvoRxiv.

The findings provide a blueprint for focused conservation financing to protect marine life during the world's worst bleaching crisis.