Palmyra Atoll, located approximately 1,000 miles south of Hawaii in the central Pacific Ocean, hosts some of the world’s healthiest coral reef ecosystems. The atoll, which forms part of a U.S. national wildlife refuge and has no permanent residents, has remained largely sheltered from human disturbances that have degraded reefs in other regions. Marine scientists studying the atoll’s ecosystem have documented thriving populations of fish, sharks, and corals in densities where the organisms are competing for space to grow.
The remote location and protected status of Palmyra Atoll have allowed its marine ecosystem to function largely as it would naturally. The atoll was used by U.S. military forces during World War II, but has served primarily as a research station since 2000, operated by The Nature Conservancy and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The vibrant reef ecosystem supports hundreds of species and demonstrates what healthy coral communities look like when protected from pollution and excessive human activity.
Climate change poses an emerging threat even to this remote ecosystem. In 2023, a marine heat wave raised water temperatures for more than half a year, causing extensive coral bleaching as the corals expelled symbiotic algae that provide essential nutrition. However, researchers have observed encouraging signs of recovery, with some coral populations rebounding and new coral growth appearing in affected areas. Scientists note that corals can recover from bleaching events if temperatures decline sufficiently to allow the algae to recolonize their tissues.
The ecological resilience demonstrated at Palmyra Atoll is informing coral restoration efforts globally. Researchers are applying lessons learned from the atoll’s recovery to reef restoration projects worldwide, where communities are working to help coral populations survive ongoing climate pressures. While the atoll’s corals are again showing signs of heat stress this year due to abnormally warm ocean temperatures, the documented capacity for recovery at Palmyra suggests that reef ecosystems can endure climate challenges if properly protected and managed.
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