"Coral reefs with the highest coral cover (鈥渙ases鈥�), on a global scale, are more likely to be found in certain environmental conditions. However, at smaller scales, the environmental conditions favoring oases differ. As resource managers generally work at such smaller scales, these findings can be used to identify priority areas for protection." - Brian Barnes
New models developed by an international team including USGS researchers could predict and explain the locations of resilient coral reef communities that may play a key role in coral reef conservation efforts.