Scientists discover 64,000 square miles of heat-resistant coral reefs across 71 countries

New Delhi ( Vivek Ojha ) : An international team of scientists has mapped more than 64,000 square miles of coral reefs that can withstand severe heat stress. The findings provide a vital plan for saving marine life while the world’s oceans experience their worst bleaching crisis ever recorded.

The study used artificial intelligence to analyze decades of environmental data. The AI identified specific underwater sanctuaries across 71 countries and 100 territories. These areas have unique natural features that shield, insulate, or help coral ecosystems recover from marine heatwaves.

The research was presented at the Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa, Kenya, and published on the preprint server EcoEvoRxiv. The findings challenge the common scientific belief that coral reefs cannot be saved. Instead, the new maps show exactly where governments should spend conservation money to protect marine life.

Coral reefs are often framed as ecosystems beyond saving,” study co-author Emily Darling, director of coral conservation at the Wildlife Conservation Society, said at the conference. “This research shows otherwise.”

Coral reefs cover only 1 per cent of the ocean floor but support a quarter of all marine life. They are vital for global food supplies and protect coastlines from storms. Their biggest threat is rising water temperatures, which cause mass bleaching.

When seawater gets too warm, corals expel the tiny, colorful algae that live inside them. This strips the corals of their main food source. It leaves them bone-white, highly stressed, and likely to die from starvation or disease.

To find habitats that can survive this heat, researchers defined three types of natural havens, known as climate refugia:

Avoidance refugia: Areas with physical traits, like cold-water currents, that shield corals from heat.

Resistance refugia: Areas where corals have naturally evolved to handle higher temperatures.

Recovery refugia: Areas where corals might bleach but are healthy enough to grow back quickly.