Science news
Restored reefs recover faster than expected, ten-year study finds
A decade of monitoring across 40 restoration sites shows coral cover returning to natural levels within six years.
Editorial Office · Marine Science Journal
Researchers tracking coral restoration projects across three ocean basins report that actively restored reefs regained natural coral cover far sooner than previously modelled.
What the team measured
Over ten years, divers surveyed 40 restoration sites twice a year, recording coral cover, fish diversity and structural complexity.
- Coral cover reached reference levels in a median of six years
- Fish species richness doubled within three years
- Sites with mixed coral species proved more resilient to heat stress
Why it matters
The findings suggest that restoration, combined with local protection, can buy reefs time while global emissions fall.
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