Assisted evolution for coral species aims to enhance resilience to what?

Assisted evolution for coral species primarily focuses on enhancing their resilience to changing environmental conditions. Coral reefs are increasingly under threat from various factors related to climate change, such as rising sea temperatures, ocean acidification, and changes in salinity. These environmental shifts can lead to stress on coral populations, making them more susceptible to disease, bleaching, and mortality.

The process of assisted evolution may involve selective breeding or genetic modification to cultivate coral species that are better adapted to withstand these changing conditions. This could include traits that improve their thermal tolerance, lower their susceptibility to disease, or enhance their ability to recover from stress. By targeting resilience in the face of these dynamic environmental pressures, assisted evolution aims to ensure the survival and sustainability of coral ecosystems in a rapidly changing world.

Pest infestation and higher fishing rates do pose threats to coral ecosystems, but they are not the main focus of assisted evolution strategies. While coral bleaching is a significant concern, the term 'exclusively' in the choice suggests a limitation that does not encompass the broader range of environmental conditions that assisted evolution addresses. Thus, the emphasis on changing environmental conditions accurately reflects the aims of assisted evolution in coral species.