Liam Lachs

Essay

Balancing between evolutionary rescue and extinction

The adaptive potential of reef-building corals in a warming world

ECOLOGY & ENVIRONMENT

Abstract

Marine heatwaves are causing unprecedented declines across the world’s coral reefs. Losses owing to mass coral bleaching and mortality events have been particularly severe for fast-growing yet heat-sensitive corals such as many Acropora species. It remains uncertain whether such corals may undergo evolutionary rescue or are facing an extinction vortex. I addressed this knowledge gap using a combination of field and lab experiments, historic environmental and ecological data, and evolutionary metapopulation modelling of corymbose Acropora corals in Palau. Together, this work uncovers new insights into the adaptive capacity of corals, suggesting that reefs may already be adjusting to ocean warming. Both rapid emissions reductions and strategic reef management will be essential to maintain conditions in which evolution can help corals persist in our warming world.

Biography

Liam Lachs received an undergraduate degree from the University of Galway, a master’s from Vrije Universiteit Brussel, and a PhD from Newcastle University. Since helping to conceptualize the CORALADAPT project, Liam is now a postdoctoral research fellow in the Marine Spatial Ecology Lab at the University of Queensland. His research focuses on how coral reef management can leverage spatial variations in heat wave exposure and the adaptive potential of corals to support reefs in a warming world.