Corals survived through four hundred million years of climate change. Despite that, corals still surprise survivors of four years of academia with their ability to keep dealing with climate change.
It’s been known for years that after corals bleach in warmer water, they acclimatize.
Here one shiny young researcher shows her carbonnointed worldview. She asks a really interesting question:
In one study of corals, for instance, she exposed adults to increased temperature and acidification, then exposed their offspring to the same conditions to see if they are more successful because of their parents’ previous experience.
Then sees the answer through AlGoreEyes:
“Interestingly, we found that there is potential for beneficial acclimatization because of parental history,” she said. “There is a more positive metabolic response and ecological response, greater survivorship and growth if their parents have been preconditioned to future scenarios.”
What’s the difference: “Preconditioned to future scenarios” or “Evolved to survive past ones”?
Not a reference
University of Rhode Island. “Professor examines effects of climate change on coral reefs, shellfish.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 21 February 2017. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/02/170221082101.htm>