4. Discusstion
With the ongoing of global warming trend, the frequency of MHWs is
expected to increase. So, the ability of corals to adapt to or recover
from extreme heat stress will be crucial for their survival in the
future. We found that Turbinaria peltata was adaptable to high
temperatures, which was demonstrated by a reduced coral response to the
second heatwave strike, indicated by the decreased loss of the density
of zooxanthellae and the content of antioxidant-related enzymes.
Decreased abundance of pathogenic bacteria and increased abundance of
beneficial bacteria in symbiotic bacteria.