Coral reefs in Maui are facing unprecedented challenges, and new research from our very own Seatrees Science Lead, Dr. Orion McCarthy, sheds light on a key driver of their decline: land-based pollution. His recently published study tracks coral reef changes over six years, revealing how pollution and other stressors shape reef recovery and long-term health.
This research aligns closely with the work of our Seatrees partners at the Regenerative Education Centers (REC), who are actively restoring coastal watersheds in Maui to reduce pollution at its source. By restoring the land, we protect the reefs.
Understanding reef resilience is critical to effective conservation, and Dr. McCarthy’s findings provide essential insights for protecting Maui’s coral ecosystems.
📖 Read the full study here: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/gcb.70050?af=R