New research shows coral’s microscopic partners could boost reef resilience against rising ocean temperatures.

Coral reefs may have a secret weapon against climate change—and it’s so small you can’t see it with the naked eye. New research from the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute found that the microscopic organisms living inside corals, known as microbiomes, could help them survive in hotter oceans.
Scientists compared corals from two regions of Panama: one with regular bursts of cooler, nutrient-rich water and one with steady, warmer seas. The heat-hardened corals fared far better in lab tests, and researchers believe their microbiomes played a big role—offering fresh hope for reefs in a warming world.








