Some reefs in Palau are proving to be less exposed to heat stress than others because of natural conditions that can help corals survive high temperatures, according to recent study from The Nature Conservancy Micronesia and Polynesia.
These special areas, known as thermal refugia, can form where cooler currents from the open ocean and unique water flows protect reefs from extreme heat. The study, led by Liam Lachs, PhD, of Newcastle University and the University of Queensland, mapped potential thermal refugia in Palau and found some surprising results.
