Coral environmental memory: causes, mechanisms, and consequences for future reefs

The apparent ability of corals to acquire and maintain enhanced stress tolerance through a dose-dependent environmental memory, which may persist for multiple years, has critical implications for coral reef conservation research. Such responses are variable across coral species and environmental stressors, with primed corals exhibiting a modified response to secondary stress exposures. While the mechanisms underlying coral memory responses are poorly understood, they likely involve both the coral host and microbiome. With advances in molecular technologies, it is now possible to investigate potential memory mechanisms in non-model organisms, including transcriptional regulation through epigenetic modifications. We integrate evidence of coral environmental memory and suggest future research directions to evaluate the potential for this process to enhance coral resilience under climate change.

Automated summary

Corals exhibit enhanced stress tolerance through dose-dependent environmental memory, which may persist for multiple years and has critical implications for coral reef conservation research. Responses to environmental stressors vary across coral species, with primed corals showing modified reactions to secondary stress exposures. Mechanisms underlying coral memory responses, likely involving transcriptional regulation and epigenetic modifications, are still poorly understood but can be researched further with advancements in molecular technologies to enhance coral resilience under climate change.