Scott Burgess has found that coral species vary in their response to ocean warming, a finding that has implications for the health of coral reefs. Corals get their color from algae that live in their tissues. When corals are stressed, the algae leave.

“The worry for us scientists is that unless the leaders of governments and corporations take action to reduce CO2 emissions, ecological portfolios that can maintain coral resilience will be increasingly eroded under current and ongoing climate change. This is concerning because coral reef ecosystems provide economic, health, cultural, and ecological goods,” Burgess said.

• Scott Burgess