Coral reefs are not doing so great in a time of climate crisis but there’s some good news for them. Scientists have found that non-genetic traits that they’ve given the coral to help them survive can be passed to future generations. Which is very good news.

Scientists have been modifying genes in coral to help the struggling organisms adapt to climate change. They are encouraging traits to act in different ways from how they would normally but they aren’t actually adding anything new to the creature. The change allows it to adjust to it’s environment quicker. With this ability they can live, grow, and spawn new growths.

Coral reefs are very important to the ocean as they provide needed habitat to sea life and help stabilize coastlines. This new breakthrough will allow the delicate lifeforms to prosper.