Lorenzo Alvarez-Filip
@lalvarezfilip.bsky.social
Coral reef ecologist
barcolab.org
barcolab.org
Pinned
The 2023 marine heatwave was devastating for Caribbean reefs; in this study, we report full mortality of over 5,000 Acropora palmata colonies across a reef scale. What is worrisome is that nearly 70% of reef crests across the Caribbean faced equal or higher levels of stress doi.org/10.1016/j.is...
Reposted by Lorenzo Alvarez-Filip
Online now: Keystone coral species population collapse after unprecedented heat stress
Keystone coral species population collapse after unprecedented heat stress
Climate change threatens coral reefs globally. Birkart and Alvarez-Filip document local extirpation of a keystone coral species in Mexico following unprecedented heat stress, suggesting similar outcomes for ∼70% of the Greater Caribbean’s shallow-water reefs. This highlights the need to upscale surveys using emerging technologies to locate, protect, and propagate surviving corals.
dlvr.it
November 5, 2025 at 8:59 PM
Online now: Keystone coral species population collapse after unprecedented heat stress
The 2023 marine heatwave was devastating for Caribbean reefs; in this study, we report full mortality of over 5,000 Acropora palmata colonies across a reef scale. What is worrisome is that nearly 70% of reef crests across the Caribbean faced equal or higher levels of stress doi.org/10.1016/j.is...
October 27, 2025 at 7:28 PM
The 2023 marine heatwave was devastating for Caribbean reefs; in this study, we report full mortality of over 5,000 Acropora palmata colonies across a reef scale. What is worrisome is that nearly 70% of reef crests across the Caribbean faced equal or higher levels of stress doi.org/10.1016/j.is...
A beautifully written story about parrotfishes and coral reefs by @lisasgardiner.bsky.social
When reporting and writing this story, I learned so much about why parrotfish are AMAZING. Thanks to @kt-cramer.bsky.social @lalvarezfilip.bsky.social @anysunreef.bsky.social and @ichnologist.bsky.social for their research and perspectives on these funny fishes!
Are parrotfish a superhero for struggling reefs? Sometimes, but not always. It depends on other reef stressors. And there are a lot of stressors. https://www.snexplores.org/article/parrotfish-algae-coral-reef-ecosystems
October 24, 2025 at 1:19 PM
A beautifully written story about parrotfishes and coral reefs by @lisasgardiner.bsky.social
Reposted by Lorenzo Alvarez-Filip
Nature research paper: Reduced Atlantic reef growth past 2 °C warming amplifies sea-level impacts
go.nature.com/3VjkuWL
go.nature.com/3VjkuWL
Reduced Atlantic reef growth past 2 °C warming amplifies sea-level impacts - Nature
An analysis of coral reefs in the tropical western Atlantic suggests that nearly all will be eroding by 2100 if global warming exceeds 2 °C, which will worsen the effects of sea-level rise.
go.nature.com
September 19, 2025 at 10:37 AM
Nature research paper: Reduced Atlantic reef growth past 2 °C warming amplifies sea-level impacts
go.nature.com/3VjkuWL
go.nature.com/3VjkuWL
Reposted by Lorenzo Alvarez-Filip
Coral reefs will stop growing and many will start to erode if global warming hits 2°C, according to a new study of 400 sites.
Caribbean coral reefs are running out of time to keep up with rising seas – new study
Coral reefs will stop growing and many will start to erode if global warming hits 2°C, according to a new study of 400 sites.
tcnv.link
September 17, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Coral reefs will stop growing and many will start to erode if global warming hits 2°C, according to a new study of 400 sites.
Reposted by Lorenzo Alvarez-Filip
Over 70% of coral reefs in the tropical western Atlantic Ocean are projected to be in a state of erosion by 2040, increasing to nearly all reefs in 2100 if warming exceeds 2 °C above preindustrial levels, a study in Nature suggests. go.nature.com/48m9Y8F 🌊 🧪
September 18, 2025 at 1:18 PM
Over 70% of coral reefs in the tropical western Atlantic Ocean are projected to be in a state of erosion by 2040, increasing to nearly all reefs in 2100 if warming exceeds 2 °C above preindustrial levels, a study in Nature suggests. go.nature.com/48m9Y8F 🌊 🧪
Reposted by Lorenzo Alvarez-Filip
Dispersal Ability Reduces Thermal Specialization and Prevents Climate‐Driven Extinctions in a Neotropical Rainforest
buff.ly/nNuQFG7
buff.ly/nNuQFG7
August 16, 2025 at 11:25 PM
Dispersal Ability Reduces Thermal Specialization and Prevents Climate‐Driven Extinctions in a Neotropical Rainforest
buff.ly/nNuQFG7
buff.ly/nNuQFG7
Reposted by Lorenzo Alvarez-Filip
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Published today in Science:
“The pace of new interventions is outstripping the capacity to prevent unintended consequences - because governance systems are not yet in place.”
Stop the cowboys before they do even more damage!
Published today in Science:
“The pace of new interventions is outstripping the capacity to prevent unintended consequences - because governance systems are not yet in place.”
Stop the cowboys before they do even more damage!
Governing novel climate interventions in rapidly changing oceans
Marine systems are rapidly changing in response to global heating. The scale and intensity of change are triggering a host of novel interventions to sustain oceans and ocean-dependent societies. Howev...
www.science.org
July 31, 2025 at 10:12 PM
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Published today in Science:
“The pace of new interventions is outstripping the capacity to prevent unintended consequences - because governance systems are not yet in place.”
Stop the cowboys before they do even more damage!
Published today in Science:
“The pace of new interventions is outstripping the capacity to prevent unintended consequences - because governance systems are not yet in place.”
Stop the cowboys before they do even more damage!
Reposted by Lorenzo Alvarez-Filip
The global marine heatwaves of 2023 were unprecedented in their intensity, persistence, and scale, according to a new Science study.
The findings provide insights into the region-specific drivers of these events, linking them to broader changes in the planet’s climate system. scim.ag/4lOzfwm
The findings provide insights into the region-specific drivers of these events, linking them to broader changes in the planet’s climate system. scim.ag/4lOzfwm
July 25, 2025 at 6:29 PM
The global marine heatwaves of 2023 were unprecedented in their intensity, persistence, and scale, according to a new Science study.
The findings provide insights into the region-specific drivers of these events, linking them to broader changes in the planet’s climate system. scim.ag/4lOzfwm
The findings provide insights into the region-specific drivers of these events, linking them to broader changes in the planet’s climate system. scim.ag/4lOzfwm
Reposted by Lorenzo Alvarez-Filip
Heard of "Darwin's paradox"? It refers to Charles Darwin's observation that coral reefs are wildly productive despite occurring in nutrient-poor tropical oceans. Reefs are, so the story goes, oases in marine deserts 🏝️...
Turns out that 2/3 of these assertions are very wrong...
🌐
🦑🧪
🧵⬇️
Turns out that 2/3 of these assertions are very wrong...
🌐
🦑🧪
🧵⬇️
June 6, 2025 at 1:32 PM
Heard of "Darwin's paradox"? It refers to Charles Darwin's observation that coral reefs are wildly productive despite occurring in nutrient-poor tropical oceans. Reefs are, so the story goes, oases in marine deserts 🏝️...
Turns out that 2/3 of these assertions are very wrong...
🌐
🦑🧪
🧵⬇️
Turns out that 2/3 of these assertions are very wrong...
🌐
🦑🧪
🧵⬇️
Reposted by Lorenzo Alvarez-Filip
New research challenges the long-held belief that coral reefs are “oases” in marine deserts. While among the world’s most productive ecosystems, their existence in nutrient-deprived oceans is the exception rather than the rule. @gobyone.bsky.social @utmsi.bsky.social
cns.utexas.edu/news/researc...
cns.utexas.edu/news/researc...
Idea of Coral Reefs as Oases in Marine Deserts May Be Mistaken
New research from Simon Brandl at The University of Texas at Austin challenges a long-held belief about coral reefs.
cns.utexas.edu
June 10, 2025 at 7:28 PM
New research challenges the long-held belief that coral reefs are “oases” in marine deserts. While among the world’s most productive ecosystems, their existence in nutrient-deprived oceans is the exception rather than the rule. @gobyone.bsky.social @utmsi.bsky.social
cns.utexas.edu/news/researc...
cns.utexas.edu/news/researc...
Coral restoration is a rapidly growing field; however, the scalability of interventions is often a limitation to reverse coral losses at meaningful scales. We address this issue by proposing a spatially explicit approximation to optimize the outplanting design at the reefscape scale bit.ly/4kiVxoH
Enhancing structural connectivity through coral restoration by adopting a landscape ecology perspective - Landscape Ecology
Context Restoration is an effective measure to counteract declines of reef-building coral populations. Despite decades of coral restoration research and practice, very little emphasis has been placed ...
bit.ly
May 14, 2025 at 10:34 PM
Coral restoration is a rapidly growing field; however, the scalability of interventions is often a limitation to reverse coral losses at meaningful scales. We address this issue by proposing a spatially explicit approximation to optimize the outplanting design at the reefscape scale bit.ly/4kiVxoH
Reposted by Lorenzo Alvarez-Filip
BBC News - Attenborough at 99 delivers 'greatest message he's ever told'
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Sir David Attenborough Ocean film 'greatest message he's told'
Sir David says his new film Ocean is one of the most important of his career.
www.bbc.com
May 6, 2025 at 9:13 AM
BBC News - Attenborough at 99 delivers 'greatest message he's ever told'
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Reposted by Lorenzo Alvarez-Filip
1/6 Call for session proposals
16th International Coral Reef Symposium, 19–24th July 2026, Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand.
Session proposal deadline: Sunday 15th June 2025.
Details and submission link at www.icrs2026.nz/call-for-ses...
16th International Coral Reef Symposium, 19–24th July 2026, Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand.
Session proposal deadline: Sunday 15th June 2025.
Details and submission link at www.icrs2026.nz/call-for-ses...
Call for Session Proposals
www.icrs2026.nz
May 5, 2025 at 9:22 PM
1/6 Call for session proposals
16th International Coral Reef Symposium, 19–24th July 2026, Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand.
Session proposal deadline: Sunday 15th June 2025.
Details and submission link at www.icrs2026.nz/call-for-ses...
16th International Coral Reef Symposium, 19–24th July 2026, Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand.
Session proposal deadline: Sunday 15th June 2025.
Details and submission link at www.icrs2026.nz/call-for-ses...
Reposted by Lorenzo Alvarez-Filip
According to data from Coral Reef Watch, the worst global bleaching event on record has now hit more than 80% of the planet’s reefs, prompting scientists to warn that we are in “uncharted territory.”
Read more from @readfearn.bsky.social in @theguardian.com:
www.theguardian.com/environment/... 🌍🧪
Read more from @readfearn.bsky.social in @theguardian.com:
www.theguardian.com/environment/... 🌍🧪
Tracing the worst coral bleaching event in recorded history – video
Two years into the worst coral bleaching event on record, more than 80% of the planet's reefs have been affected
www.theguardian.com
May 2, 2025 at 11:11 AM
According to data from Coral Reef Watch, the worst global bleaching event on record has now hit more than 80% of the planet’s reefs, prompting scientists to warn that we are in “uncharted territory.”
Read more from @readfearn.bsky.social in @theguardian.com:
www.theguardian.com/environment/... 🌍🧪
Read more from @readfearn.bsky.social in @theguardian.com:
www.theguardian.com/environment/... 🌍🧪
Reposted by Lorenzo Alvarez-Filip
Science Feedback provides valuable context behind the headline.
science.feedback.org/review/84-of...
We need more contextualizing of clickbait stories.
Often, as in this case, there is an important, albeit nuanced, story not easily summarized in a catchy headline.
@sciencefeedback.bsky.social
science.feedback.org/review/84-of...
We need more contextualizing of clickbait stories.
Often, as in this case, there is an important, albeit nuanced, story not easily summarized in a catchy headline.
@sciencefeedback.bsky.social
84% of the world’s reefs recently experienced bleaching-level heat stress, but not all were ‘completely bleached' - Science Feedback
84% of Earth's reefs experienced bleaching-level heat stress, but not all were completely bleached. Mass bleaching was reported in 82 different countries and territories, but it will be years until sc...
science.feedback.org
May 3, 2025 at 7:46 PM
Science Feedback provides valuable context behind the headline.
science.feedback.org/review/84-of...
We need more contextualizing of clickbait stories.
Often, as in this case, there is an important, albeit nuanced, story not easily summarized in a catchy headline.
@sciencefeedback.bsky.social
science.feedback.org/review/84-of...
We need more contextualizing of clickbait stories.
Often, as in this case, there is an important, albeit nuanced, story not easily summarized in a catchy headline.
@sciencefeedback.bsky.social
Reposted by Lorenzo Alvarez-Filip
More than 80% of the world’s reefs hit by bleaching after worst global event on record #Climate
More than 80% of the world’s reefs hit by bleaching after worst global event on record
An ashen pallor and an eerie stillness all that remains where there should fluttering fish and vibrant colours in the reefscape, one conservationist says
www.theguardian.com
April 23, 2025 at 4:19 AM
More than 80% of the world’s reefs hit by bleaching after worst global event on record #Climate
Reposted by Lorenzo Alvarez-Filip
“Major barriers include the small scale of restoration programs, high costs per hectare, and the …. vulnerability (of corals) to future heat stresses. phys.org/news/2025-04...
Coral restoration projects failing: One-third ineffective and unlikely to scale, study finds
As coral bleaching and deaths become more widespread globally, experts are re-evaluating the benefits of restoration missions to reverse damage and protect some of the world's most species-rich ecosys...
phys.org
April 27, 2025 at 10:04 PM
“Major barriers include the small scale of restoration programs, high costs per hectare, and the …. vulnerability (of corals) to future heat stresses. phys.org/news/2025-04...
Reposted by Lorenzo Alvarez-Filip
If we continue burning fossil fuels and warming the ocean, coral reefs will become a thing of the past.
More than 80% of the world’s reefs hit by bleaching after worst global event on record
An ashen pallor and an eerie stillness all that remains where there should fluttering fish and vibrant colours in the reefscape, one conservationist says
www.theguardian.com
April 23, 2025 at 5:43 AM
If we continue burning fossil fuels and warming the ocean, coral reefs will become a thing of the past.
Reposted by Lorenzo Alvarez-Filip
"The fact that so many reef areas have been impacted ... suggests that ocean warming has reached a level where there is no longer any safe harbour." 🪸💔
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
More than 80% of the world’s reefs hit by bleaching after worst global event on record
An ashen pallor and an eerie stillness all that remains where there should be fluttering fish and vibrant colours in the reefscape, one conservationist says
www.theguardian.com
April 25, 2025 at 8:40 AM
"The fact that so many reef areas have been impacted ... suggests that ocean warming has reached a level where there is no longer any safe harbour." 🪸💔
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Lorenzo Alvarez-Filip
Update on Trump’s savage anti-science agenda:
“The White House is ready to ask Congress to eliminate NOAA’s climate research centers and cut hundreds of federal and academic climate scientists who track and study human-driven global warming.”
www.science.org/content/arti...
“The White House is ready to ask Congress to eliminate NOAA’s climate research centers and cut hundreds of federal and academic climate scientists who track and study human-driven global warming.”
www.science.org/content/arti...
April 17, 2025 at 12:37 AM
Update on Trump’s savage anti-science agenda:
“The White House is ready to ask Congress to eliminate NOAA’s climate research centers and cut hundreds of federal and academic climate scientists who track and study human-driven global warming.”
www.science.org/content/arti...
“The White House is ready to ask Congress to eliminate NOAA’s climate research centers and cut hundreds of federal and academic climate scientists who track and study human-driven global warming.”
www.science.org/content/arti...
🌊🌊🪸🪸 Ever wonder how a hurricane modifies the landscape structure of a coral reef? In this newly published study, we use high-resolution drone imagery to explore how the impact of disturbances modulates the spatial arrangement and distribution of Acropora palmate patches.
doi.org/10.1007/s003...
doi.org/10.1007/s003...
April 14, 2025 at 10:58 PM
🌊🌊🪸🪸 Ever wonder how a hurricane modifies the landscape structure of a coral reef? In this newly published study, we use high-resolution drone imagery to explore how the impact of disturbances modulates the spatial arrangement and distribution of Acropora palmate patches.
doi.org/10.1007/s003...
doi.org/10.1007/s003...
Reposted by Lorenzo Alvarez-Filip
SOBERING NEWS!!! Coral restoration projects failing: One-third ineffective and unlikely to scale, study finds
phys.org/news/2025-04...
#coralreefs #coralreefresearch #coralrestoration #reefrestoration #coral #conservation #coralgardening #habitatrestoration #climatechange #marinebiology
phys.org/news/2025-04...
#coralreefs #coralreefresearch #coralrestoration #reefrestoration #coral #conservation #coralgardening #habitatrestoration #climatechange #marinebiology
Coral restoration projects failing: One-third ineffective and unlikely to scale, study finds
As coral bleaching and deaths become more widespread globally, experts are re-evaluating the benefits of restoration missions to reverse damage and protect some of the world's most species-rich…
phys.org
April 13, 2025 at 8:27 AM
SOBERING NEWS!!! Coral restoration projects failing: One-third ineffective and unlikely to scale, study finds
phys.org/news/2025-04...
#coralreefs #coralreefresearch #coralrestoration #reefrestoration #coral #conservation #coralgardening #habitatrestoration #climatechange #marinebiology
phys.org/news/2025-04...
#coralreefs #coralreefresearch #coralrestoration #reefrestoration #coral #conservation #coralgardening #habitatrestoration #climatechange #marinebiology
Reposted by Lorenzo Alvarez-Filip
Reality check: coral restoration won’t save the world’s reefs
A coral ‘rope’ nursery in the Maldives. Luca Saponari/University of Milan, CC BY-ND Corey J. A. Bradshaw, Flinders University; Clelia Mulà, The University of Western Australia, and Giovanni Strona, University of Helsinki Coral reefs are…
A coral ‘rope’ nursery in the Maldives. Luca Saponari/University of Milan, CC BY-ND Corey J. A. Bradshaw, Flinders University; Clelia Mulà, The University of Western Australia, and Giovanni Strona, University of Helsinki Coral reefs are…
Reality check: coral restoration won’t save the world’s reefs
A coral ‘rope’ nursery in the Maldives. Luca Saponari/University of Milan, CC BY-ND Corey J. A. Bradshaw, Flinders University; Clelia Mulà, The University of Western Australia, and Giovanni Strona, University of Helsinki Coral reefs are much more than just a pretty place to visit. They are among the world’s richest ecosystems, hosting about a third of all marine species…
conservationbytes.com
April 8, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Reality check: coral restoration won’t save the world’s reefs
A coral ‘rope’ nursery in the Maldives. Luca Saponari/University of Milan, CC BY-ND Corey J. A. Bradshaw, Flinders University; Clelia Mulà, The University of Western Australia, and Giovanni Strona, University of Helsinki Coral reefs are…
A coral ‘rope’ nursery in the Maldives. Luca Saponari/University of Milan, CC BY-ND Corey J. A. Bradshaw, Flinders University; Clelia Mulà, The University of Western Australia, and Giovanni Strona, University of Helsinki Coral reefs are…