Coastal Restoration

The article discusses research that suggests a link between cold water temperatures and catastrophic coral collapses. The study found that coral reefs are more susceptible to disease and death when the water temperature drops suddenly and significantly, which can happen due to a number of factors, including the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and human activities such as global warming and ocean acidification. The research team conducted experiments on coral reefs in the Caribbean and found that sudden drops in temperature made the coral more susceptible to disease, leading to a significant decline in coral cover. The findings of this study suggest that efforts to protect coral reefs should include measures to prevent and mitigate the impacts of sudden drops in water temperature.