At a Glance
- Coral reefs provide essential ecological and economic services, but their survival is threatened by climate change, disease, and pollution, especially in vulnerable regions like the Caribbean.
- A University of Miami study found that no staghorn coral genotype could withstand nutrient pollution and disease simultaneously, with some genotypes experiencing complete mortality under combined stress.
- Exposure to high levels of ammonium reduced coral survival, and the addition of disease further increased mortality rates, highlighting the compounding effects of multiple environmental stressors.
- Researchers emphasized that improving water quality is essential for coral survival, suggesting that reducing nutrient pollution could enhance resilience and success in coral reef restoration programs.
- The study calls for science-driven conservation strategies that combine selecting stress-resilient coral genotypes and addressing water quality before implementing large-scale reef restoration efforts.
Coral reefs are vital ecosystems that provide essential services such as coastal protection, marine biodiversity, and economic support for industries like tourism and fisheries. However, climate change, disease, and water pollution threaten coral species’ survival, particularly in the Caribbean. A recent study by scientists at the University of Miami has shed light on how these stressors—specifically nutrient pollution and coral disease—affect the survival of staghorn corals (Acropora cervicornis), a species critical to the health of coral reefs.
In this study, researchers exposed 10 different genotypes of staghorn coral to varying levels of ammonium, a type of nitrogen found in polluted waters, and to coral disease. The results revealed that while some genotypes showed resistance to either disease or high nutrient levels, no genotype could withstand both stressors simultaneously. Corals exposed to high ammonium levels alone showed reduced survival rates. The corals experienced even higher mortality rates when the disease was introduced, with some genotypes losing up to 100% of their fragments.
The study also highlighted the importance of improving water quality to support coral conservation efforts. “If water quality issues are not addressed, it will be difficult for both wild and restored coral colonies in Florida to survive,” said Ana Palacio, the study’s lead author, in a University of Miami press release. The findings suggest that reducing nutrient pollution, which often coincides with coral disease outbreaks, could help increase coral populations’ resilience and improve restoration programs’ success.
These insights underscore the critical need for science-based policies to protect coral reefs. The study, published in PLOS One, stresses that coral restoration efforts should focus on selecting more resilient genotypes to local stressors and ensuring that water conditions are improved before starting restoration projects. This research is crucial for understanding how to better conserve coral reefs in the face of ongoing environmental challenges.
References
- University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science. (2025, March 26). Coral diseases and water quality play a key role for coral restoration and survival efforts. EurekAlert!; University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science. https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1078368
- Palacio-Castro, A. M., Kroesche, D., Enochs, I. C., Kelble, C., Smith, I., Baker, A. C., & Rosales, S. M. (2025). Genotypes of Acropora cervicornis in Florida show resistance to either elevated nutrients or disease, but not both in combination. PLOS One, 20(3), e0320378. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0320378
