Australian study finds corals need to be very close to reproduce, raising concerns over climate change impacts.

Australian researchers found that corals must be within 10 meters of each other, with closer distances preferred, to reproduce successfully. Fertilization rates were 30% when corals were within half a meter but dropped to less than 10% at 10 meters and nearly zero at 20 meters. Climate change impacts, such as coral bleaching, are reducing coral density, raising concerns about their ability to reproduce. The study suggests future interventions may be needed to increase coral density for successful reproduction.

3 months ago
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