Liam Lachs
@liamlachs.bsky.social
Climate change ecology and evolution, advocate for healthy planetary and social systems
Wednesday in Tulum:
James Guest at 11.30am on a 5- year selective breeding trial
& myself at 12.00pm on natural adaptation and importance of which trait we choose for breeding
James Guest at 11.30am on a 5- year selective breeding trial
& myself at 12.00pm on natural adaptation and importance of which trait we choose for breeding
December 8, 2024 at 8:38 PM
Wednesday in Tulum:
James Guest at 11.30am on a 5- year selective breeding trial
& myself at 12.00pm on natural adaptation and importance of which trait we choose for breeding
James Guest at 11.30am on a 5- year selective breeding trial
& myself at 12.00pm on natural adaptation and importance of which trait we choose for breeding
Thanks to all the other supportive groups & institutions helping fuel ideas in our field: PICRC AIMS, @newcastleuni.bsky.social Coralassist Lab, University of Queensland, @ubcoceans.bsky.social, Southern Cross Uni
(12/12)
(12/12)
November 29, 2024 at 10:11 PM
Thanks to all the other supportive groups & institutions helping fuel ideas in our field: PICRC AIMS, @newcastleuni.bsky.social Coralassist Lab, University of Queensland, @ubcoceans.bsky.social, Southern Cross Uni
(12/12)
(12/12)
Thanks for supporting this work: @ukri.org NERC, ONEPlanet DTP, ERC Research, Mitacs Canada, @rgsibg.bsky.social @icrs.bsky.social IDEAWILD
& wonderful coauthors: YM Bozec, J Bythell, @simondonner.bsky.social, H East, AJ Edwards, Y Golbuu, M Gouezo, J Guest, A Humanes, C Riginos & P Mumby
(11/12)
& wonderful coauthors: YM Bozec, J Bythell, @simondonner.bsky.social, H East, AJ Edwards, Y Golbuu, M Gouezo, J Guest, A Humanes, C Riginos & P Mumby
(11/12)
November 29, 2024 at 10:11 PM
Thanks for supporting this work: @ukri.org NERC, ONEPlanet DTP, ERC Research, Mitacs Canada, @rgsibg.bsky.social @icrs.bsky.social IDEAWILD
& wonderful coauthors: YM Bozec, J Bythell, @simondonner.bsky.social, H East, AJ Edwards, Y Golbuu, M Gouezo, J Guest, A Humanes, C Riginos & P Mumby
(11/12)
& wonderful coauthors: YM Bozec, J Bythell, @simondonner.bsky.social, H East, AJ Edwards, Y Golbuu, M Gouezo, J Guest, A Humanes, C Riginos & P Mumby
(11/12)
Now we must combine this knowledge to support natural adaptation and enhance the heat tolerance of key coral species at local scales for high priority reefs.
(10/12)
(10/12)
November 29, 2024 at 10:11 PM
Now we must combine this knowledge to support natural adaptation and enhance the heat tolerance of key coral species at local scales for high priority reefs.
(10/12)
(10/12)
But there is also scope to bolster natural adaptation rates, e.g., via “assisted evolution”. We now know that selective breeding corals to improve adult tolerance to lethal heatwaves is feasible.
doi.org/10.1038/s414...
(9/12)
doi.org/10.1038/s414...
(9/12)
Selective breeding enhances coral heat tolerance to marine heatwaves - Nature Communications
Marine heatwaves can have severe impact on corals populations. This study demonstrates that selective breeding could quickly enhance coral tolerance to short-term heat stress by up to 1 °C. This has p...
doi.org
November 29, 2024 at 10:11 PM
But there is also scope to bolster natural adaptation rates, e.g., via “assisted evolution”. We now know that selective breeding corals to improve adult tolerance to lethal heatwaves is feasible.
doi.org/10.1038/s414...
(9/12)
doi.org/10.1038/s414...
(9/12)
Our work is a call to action. If we want healthy reefs we must reduce emissions & manage reefs strategically to promote adaptation potential.
It's also a call away from complacency. Adaptation may well help maintain coral populations if we can deliver on decarbonisation.
(8/12)
It's also a call away from complacency. Adaptation may well help maintain coral populations if we can deliver on decarbonisation.
(8/12)
November 29, 2024 at 10:11 PM
Our work is a call to action. If we want healthy reefs we must reduce emissions & manage reefs strategically to promote adaptation potential.
It's also a call away from complacency. Adaptation may well help maintain coral populations if we can deliver on decarbonisation.
(8/12)
It's also a call away from complacency. Adaptation may well help maintain coral populations if we can deliver on decarbonisation.
(8/12)
If we abandon the cause for climate action & global temperatures rise by ~5°C, Acropora corals in our model disappear.
This holds true even for an upper limit of adaptive potential, where heat tolerance is 100% genetically determined & inherited perfectly.
(7/12)
This holds true even for an upper limit of adaptive potential, where heat tolerance is 100% genetically determined & inherited perfectly.
(7/12)
November 29, 2024 at 10:11 PM
If we abandon the cause for climate action & global temperatures rise by ~5°C, Acropora corals in our model disappear.
This holds true even for an upper limit of adaptive potential, where heat tolerance is 100% genetically determined & inherited perfectly.
(7/12)
This holds true even for an upper limit of adaptive potential, where heat tolerance is 100% genetically determined & inherited perfectly.
(7/12)
Given current climate policies (which are lagging behind Paris commitments), we're on track for a ~3°C warmer world.
Including adaptation in our model can make the difference between Acropora corals being lost vs. persisting, albeit with a potential loss of reef function
(6/12)
Including adaptation in our model can make the difference between Acropora corals being lost vs. persisting, albeit with a potential loss of reef function
(6/12)
November 29, 2024 at 10:11 PM
Given current climate policies (which are lagging behind Paris commitments), we're on track for a ~3°C warmer world.
Including adaptation in our model can make the difference between Acropora corals being lost vs. persisting, albeit with a potential loss of reef function
(6/12)
Including adaptation in our model can make the difference between Acropora corals being lost vs. persisting, albeit with a potential loss of reef function
(6/12)
No matter our actions on reducing emissions, Acropora corals are expected to decline over the coming decades.
But if we can achieve Paris Agreement commitments and limit warming to 2°C, then natural selection could allow Acropora populations to thrive beyond 2050.
(5/12)
But if we can achieve Paris Agreement commitments and limit warming to 2°C, then natural selection could allow Acropora populations to thrive beyond 2050.
(5/12)
November 29, 2024 at 10:11 PM
No matter our actions on reducing emissions, Acropora corals are expected to decline over the coming decades.
But if we can achieve Paris Agreement commitments and limit warming to 2°C, then natural selection could allow Acropora populations to thrive beyond 2050.
(5/12)
But if we can achieve Paris Agreement commitments and limit warming to 2°C, then natural selection could allow Acropora populations to thrive beyond 2050.
(5/12)
Marine heatwaves and resulting mass coral bleaching & mortality events remain the single biggest threat to coral reefs globally.
We set out to test whether coral adaptation via natural selection could occur fast enough to keep pace with ocean warming.
(3/12)
We set out to test whether coral adaptation via natural selection could occur fast enough to keep pace with ocean warming.
(3/12)
November 29, 2024 at 10:11 PM
Marine heatwaves and resulting mass coral bleaching & mortality events remain the single biggest threat to coral reefs globally.
We set out to test whether coral adaptation via natural selection could occur fast enough to keep pace with ocean warming.
(3/12)
We set out to test whether coral adaptation via natural selection could occur fast enough to keep pace with ocean warming.
(3/12)
The full paper in Science:
doi.org/10.1126/scie...
Our thoughts at The Conversation:
theconversation.com/corals-can-a...
Open access accepted version:
eprints.ncl.ac.uk/302731
(2/12)
doi.org/10.1126/scie...
Our thoughts at The Conversation:
theconversation.com/corals-can-a...
Open access accepted version:
eprints.ncl.ac.uk/302731
(2/12)
Natural selection could determine whether Acropora corals persist under expected climate change
Marine heatwaves are intensifying under climate change, exposing populations of reef-building corals to mass mortality and intense selective pressure. It remains unknown whether adaptation can keep pa...
doi.org
November 29, 2024 at 10:11 PM
The full paper in Science:
doi.org/10.1126/scie...
Our thoughts at The Conversation:
theconversation.com/corals-can-a...
Open access accepted version:
eprints.ncl.ac.uk/302731
(2/12)
doi.org/10.1126/scie...
Our thoughts at The Conversation:
theconversation.com/corals-can-a...
Open access accepted version:
eprints.ncl.ac.uk/302731
(2/12)
If we can make it to the top of that sand mountain then we can do anything!
November 29, 2024 at 5:00 AM
If we can make it to the top of that sand mountain then we can do anything!
Building on the great work of PICRC in Palau
and published in PLOS Climate, the paper explores how heat-mediated mass bleaching and the heat tolerance of a focal coral species vary across reefs that have contrasting historical exposure to marine heatwaves.
journals.plos.org/climate/arti...
and published in PLOS Climate, the paper explores how heat-mediated mass bleaching and the heat tolerance of a focal coral species vary across reefs that have contrasting historical exposure to marine heatwaves.
journals.plos.org/climate/arti...
High coral heat tolerance at local-scale thermal refugia
Marine heatwaves and mass bleaching have devastated coral populations globally, yet bleaching severity often varies among reefs. To what extent a reef’s past exposure to heat stress influences coral b...
journals.plos.org
November 18, 2024 at 1:52 PM
Building on the great work of PICRC in Palau
and published in PLOS Climate, the paper explores how heat-mediated mass bleaching and the heat tolerance of a focal coral species vary across reefs that have contrasting historical exposure to marine heatwaves.
journals.plos.org/climate/arti...
and published in PLOS Climate, the paper explores how heat-mediated mass bleaching and the heat tolerance of a focal coral species vary across reefs that have contrasting historical exposure to marine heatwaves.
journals.plos.org/climate/arti...
Paper was led by Adriana Humanes, Liam Lachs & James Guest
Part of the fruitful Coralassist Lab - PICRC collaboration, with support from the Horniman Museum, Uni. Of Exeter, Derby Uni. & Uni. Victoria
Funded by ERC, with support from UKRI / NERC
(9/9)
Part of the fruitful Coralassist Lab - PICRC collaboration, with support from the Horniman Museum, Uni. Of Exeter, Derby Uni. & Uni. Victoria
Funded by ERC, with support from UKRI / NERC
(9/9)
October 14, 2024 at 10:29 AM
Paper was led by Adriana Humanes, Liam Lachs & James Guest
Part of the fruitful Coralassist Lab - PICRC collaboration, with support from the Horniman Museum, Uni. Of Exeter, Derby Uni. & Uni. Victoria
Funded by ERC, with support from UKRI / NERC
(9/9)
Part of the fruitful Coralassist Lab - PICRC collaboration, with support from the Horniman Museum, Uni. Of Exeter, Derby Uni. & Uni. Victoria
Funded by ERC, with support from UKRI / NERC
(9/9)
Our study shows selective breeding is feasible, yet potential heat tolerance gains are modest compared to expected future warming.
R&D is needed to optimise breeding interventions and maximise positive impacts.
Ultimately, reefs still depend on rapid reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.
(8/9)
R&D is needed to optimise breeding interventions and maximise positive impacts.
Ultimately, reefs still depend on rapid reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.
(8/9)
October 14, 2024 at 10:28 AM
Our study shows selective breeding is feasible, yet potential heat tolerance gains are modest compared to expected future warming.
R&D is needed to optimise breeding interventions and maximise positive impacts.
Ultimately, reefs still depend on rapid reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.
(8/9)
R&D is needed to optimise breeding interventions and maximise positive impacts.
Ultimately, reefs still depend on rapid reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.
(8/9)
Offspring bred for short-stress tolerance did not show evidence of enhanced tolerance to the long-term stress that more closely emulates marine heatwaves.
To maximise coral fitness in the face of climate change, care will be needed when selecting which traits to breed for.
(7/9)
To maximise coral fitness in the face of climate change, care will be needed when selecting which traits to breed for.
(7/9)
October 14, 2024 at 10:28 AM
Offspring bred for short-stress tolerance did not show evidence of enhanced tolerance to the long-term stress that more closely emulates marine heatwaves.
To maximise coral fitness in the face of climate change, care will be needed when selecting which traits to breed for.
(7/9)
To maximise coral fitness in the face of climate change, care will be needed when selecting which traits to breed for.
(7/9)
Nature vs. Nurture:
The heritability of heat tolerance traits was ~0.2-0.3.
This means these traits have a substantial genetic basis but are also heavily influenced by other non-genetic factors.
(6/9)
The heritability of heat tolerance traits was ~0.2-0.3.
This means these traits have a substantial genetic basis but are also heavily influenced by other non-genetic factors.
(6/9)
October 14, 2024 at 10:27 AM
Nature vs. Nurture:
The heritability of heat tolerance traits was ~0.2-0.3.
This means these traits have a substantial genetic basis but are also heavily influenced by other non-genetic factors.
(6/9)
The heritability of heat tolerance traits was ~0.2-0.3.
This means these traits have a substantial genetic basis but are also heavily influenced by other non-genetic factors.
(6/9)
Offspring whose parents had high (rather than low) heat tolerance showed an enhanced ability to withstand the type of heat stress for which they were bred.
They can withstand the heat stress for a longer duration before the onset of bleaching and mortality.
(5/9)
They can withstand the heat stress for a longer duration before the onset of bleaching and mortality.
(5/9)
October 14, 2024 at 10:26 AM
Offspring whose parents had high (rather than low) heat tolerance showed an enhanced ability to withstand the type of heat stress for which they were bred.
They can withstand the heat stress for a longer duration before the onset of bleaching and mortality.
(5/9)
They can withstand the heat stress for a longer duration before the onset of bleaching and mortality.
(5/9)
Then offspring were reared in an ocean nursery until they reached reproductive maturity themselves at 3-4 years old.
At this stage, the offspring were exposed to the same heat stress tests that were used years before to select their parents.
(4/9)
At this stage, the offspring were exposed to the same heat stress tests that were used years before to select their parents.
(4/9)
October 14, 2024 at 10:26 AM
Then offspring were reared in an ocean nursery until they reached reproductive maturity themselves at 3-4 years old.
At this stage, the offspring were exposed to the same heat stress tests that were used years before to select their parents.
(4/9)
At this stage, the offspring were exposed to the same heat stress tests that were used years before to select their parents.
(4/9)
Selective breeding was conducted for the bleaching survival response of wild corals to both:
- a short-term ~1-week +3.5 °C heat stress
- long-term ~1-month +2.5 °C heat stress
(3/9)
- a short-term ~1-week +3.5 °C heat stress
- long-term ~1-month +2.5 °C heat stress
(3/9)
October 14, 2024 at 10:25 AM
Selective breeding was conducted for the bleaching survival response of wild corals to both:
- a short-term ~1-week +3.5 °C heat stress
- long-term ~1-month +2.5 °C heat stress
(3/9)
- a short-term ~1-week +3.5 °C heat stress
- long-term ~1-month +2.5 °C heat stress
(3/9)