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USF College of Marine Science

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Coral Reef “Oases”: New Study Provides Clues to Locate Resilient Reef Communities

Healthy coral reef in St. Croix, US Virgin Islands. Sources/Usage: Public Domain.

Healthy coral reef in St. Croix, US Virgin Islands. Sources/Usage: Public Domain.

"Coral reefs with the highest coral cover (“oases”), on a global scale, are more likely to be found in certain environmental conditions. However, at smaller scales, the environmental conditions favoring oases differ. As resource managers generally work at such smaller scales, these findings can be used to identify priority areas for protection." - Brian Barnes

New models developed by an international team including USGS researchers could predict and explain the locations of resilient coral reef communities that may play a key role in coral reef conservation efforts.

Coral Reef “Oases”: New Study Provides Clues to Locate Resilient Reef Communities

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Our blue planet faces a suite of challenges and opportunities for understanding and innovation. Our mission is to advance understanding of the interconnectivity of ocean systems and human-ocean interactions using a cross-disciplinary approach, to empower the next workforce of the blue economy with a world-class education experience, and to share our passion for a healthy environment and science-informed decision-making with community audiences near and far.