Most coral species in Singapore resilient to projected rise in sea levels

But sedimentation could affect their survival, says NUS don

A team of marine biologists from the National University of Singapore, (from left) Ms Sudhanshi Jain, Assistant Professor Huang Danwei, Ms Gwendolyn Chow and Mr Samuel Chan, studied about 3,000 colonies of 124 coral species in the waters around Pulau
A team of marine biologists from the National University of Singapore, (from left) Ms Sudhanshi Jain, Assistant Professor Huang Danwei, Ms Gwendolyn Chow and Mr Samuel Chan, studied about 3,000 colonies of 124 coral species in the waters around Pulau Hantu and Pulau Satumu between July 2017 and August last year. ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH
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Often called the rainforests of the sea for the variety of life they harbour, coral reefs all over the world are in danger of disappearing due to the effects of climate change such as sea level rise.

But local scientists have found that those thriving in Singapore waters are hardier than previously thought.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on June 29, 2019, with the headline Most coral species in Singapore resilient to projected rise in sea levels. Subscribe