SuperReefs

SuperReefs: Proving Heat Tolerant Corals

In collaboration with The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute (WHOI), the SuperReefs project aims to help local coral reef conservation efforts by predicting where naturally bleaching tolerant corals are (WHOI), proving bleaching resistance (Stanford), and connecting with communities with the goal to protect reef areas that will be resilient to climate change.

Stanford Team 
Dr. Courtney Klepac, Dr. DeVant’e Dawson, Kaiku Kaholoa’a, Dr. Stephen Palumbi | Stanford University, Hopkins Marine Station, CA

Objective
Using low-cost, accessible parts, our low-tech, easy-to-use, and scalable heat stress tanks can detect bleaching resistant colonies predicted by WHOI’s models. We also train and work with local community partners so they can continue experiments for a large-scale determination of bleaching resistance in priority areas.

Methodology
Small pieces are collected from 7 colonies of 5 dominant coral species. Corals are then exposed to multiple days of increasing temperatures. Visual Bleaching Scores and photographs are taken daily to determine bleaching temperatures, thus characterizing which species and/or sites may be more resistant.

Case Study From Majuro Atoll, RMI
Heat resistance discovery for 7 coral species across 6 reefs at Majuro Atoll by the Super Reefs consortium. Hydrodynamic model output (Top; WHOI) of the top hottest and coldest maximum monthly mean (MMM) temperatures for sites (stars) selected for heat stress tests. (Bottom) Barplot of the number of colonies that bleached at each temperature, across species and colored by reef site (SR1-6) show variation across sites and species. 

Engagement
  • Bleaching-resistant reef areas will be conveyed to TNC and local stakeholders
  • Training and remote mentorship for the continuation of community-led heat stress experiments

Protection
We hope that the identification of heat tolerant coral reef areas will be prioritized and incorporated into protection and restoration strategies. This will ensure the long-term survival of culturally, economically, and ecologically important coral reefs under future climate change.