Current status and potential of coral reef conservation through human interventions: focusing on coral bleaching

Abstract

The frequent occurrence of coral bleaching due to rising seawater temperatures has become a major problem, and it is suggested that corals may die over a wide area in the future. In recent years, human intervention methods aimed at rescuing corals from large-scale mortality such as bleaching have been studied, and their feasibility in the field is being discussed. In this review, we introduce various approaches, such as acquiring stress tolerance through the physical environment and experienced environmental history that prevents and reduces bleaching stresses, increasing nutrition through heterotrophic food supply, and strengthening stress tolerance through the addition of metal elements like Mn. We also address bleaching as a holobiont, including bacteria and strategies for preventing bleaching utilizing genetic differences. In addition, the current status and future possibilities of human intervention in coral reef conservation efforts are discussed.