Anne Cohen, a scientist from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, is studying coral reefs in the Majuro lagoon of the Marshall Islands. Using a robot named Yellowfin to guide her, Cohen explores these reefs, which have been severely affected by marine heat waves since 2023. These heat waves have caused widespread coral bleaching, where corals expel the algae that give them color and nutrients, leaving them pale and struggling to survive. Despite this, Cohen discovers a thriving reef with vibrant corals and diverse marine life, offering hope that such strongholds could help repopulate more degraded reefs worldwide. This research is crucial as it highlights the resilience of certain coral ecosystems and their potential role in restoring damaged reefs.
QUESTION: How might the survival of certain coral reefs impact efforts to combat climate change and protect marine biodiversity?
As global warming threatens corals, scientists search for reefs that can take the heat
