In the face of warming ocean waters due to climate change, some coral reefs off East Africa are demonstrating unusual resiliency. Throughout the world鈥檚 seas, rising surface temperatures make reefs susceptible to fatal 鈥渂leaching鈥濃�攁 sickness that occurs when coral species discharge the algae that live within their tissues. But new research by the 菊花视频 (WCS) shows that the 鈥渟uper reefs鈥� can get by when fisheries management improves.

The team of researchers, which included Drs. Tim McClanahan and Nyawira Muthiga of WCS, found 鈥渟uper reefs鈥� in the waters between northern Madagascar, northern Mozambique, Tanzania, and southern Kenya. Their existence makes them a high priority for future conservation action.

After a 1998 bleaching event off Tanzania鈥檚 coast wiped out up to 45 percent of the region鈥檚 corals, they recovered rapidly. WCS conservationists monitored these reefs, and continue to protect the corals by training park staff in protected areas. The researchers attribute the reef recovery partly to bans on commercial fishing. Such closures allows the reef fish to thrive, and the fish, in turn, keep the algae population in check. Without enough fish to feed on the algae, it would otherwise smother the corals. Those sites without any specific management measures remain degraded; one site has experienced an explosion of sea urchins鈥攑ests that feed on corals.

The scientists also found that the structure of the reefs play a major factor in their resiliency. Tanzania鈥檚 reefs are particularly complex and experience unusual variations in current and water temperatures. These factors promote the survival of a higher diversity of coral species, including those that can quickly re-colonize after bleaching.

McClanahan sees the resilience of Northern Tanzania鈥檚 reefs as a promising sign. 鈥淭his gives cause for considerably more optimism that developing countries can effectively manage their reefs in the face of climate change,鈥� he said.

WCS is actively conserving nearly 90 percent of the world鈥檚 tropical coral reef species in priority seascapes in Belize, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Kenya, and Madagascar.

From Fiji to Glover鈥檚 Reef, the Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA) and the Tiffany & Co. Foundation have provided generous support for Dr. McClanahan鈥檚 research, which examines the ecology, fisheries, climate change effects, and management of coral reefs at key sites throughout the world.