What is the concept of "assisted evolution" in coral restoration?

The concept of "assisted evolution" in coral restoration primarily involves selectively breeding or manipulating coral species to enhance their resilience and adaptive capacity to changing environmental conditions, such as rising temperatures and ocean acidification. This approach harnesses the genetic diversity within coral populations, enabling researchers to identify and propagate individuals that exhibit tolerance to stressors. By focusing on breeding corals that are more likely to survive and thrive in altered conditions, assisted evolution aims to improve the chances of corals surviving in the future.

This concept does not center around simply restoring corals to their original state, which may not be viable due to changing ecosystems. Introducing new coral species from different regions could potentially disrupt local ecosystems, and using chemicals to enhance growth does not address the genetic factors that contribute to coral resilience. Thus, selective breeding and manipulation of genetic traits offer a targeted way to bolster coral populations against the challenges posed by climate change and habitat degradation.