Summary:
- The article discusses how ancient coral reefs were able to survive past mass extinction events, providing insights into how modern coral reefs might be able to adapt to current threats.
- It highlights that ancient coral reefs were able to recover and diversify after major environmental changes, such as the end-Permian mass extinction, the largest mass extinction event in Earth's history.
- The article suggests that understanding the mechanisms that allowed ancient coral reefs to survive and thrive could help guide efforts to protect and restore modern coral reef ecosystems, which are facing significant challenges due to climate change, ocean acidification, and other human-induced stressors.