Scientists are mapping Caribbean coral reefs to fight climate change.

Scientists have mapped coral reefs in the Caribbean to identify those most likely to survive climate change.

The corals with the most significant potential to withstand damage from marine heatwaves are mainly found on the northern coast of Cuba.

Other promising locations are around the Bahamas, the Dominican Republic, Guadeloupe, Haiti, eastern Jamaica, and the US state of Florida.

Coral reefs are wonders of the sea.

Built by hundreds of thousands of tiny creatures, they are one of the most endangered ecosystems.

According to a recent IPCC report (a high-level UN report written by scientists), only 10-30% of coral reefs will survive 1.5°C of warming. If the warming is higher, the chances of survival drop drastically. The research team compared different climate models and examined storm damage and heat stress factors. They use this to determine a list of corals that need priority protection due to their better resistance to climate change.

"Finding and managing the most promising sites for the conservation of key species will be critical in helping this valuable habitat continue to warm as the planet continues to warm," said lead researcher Iliana Cholet. The findings shape efforts to protect coral reefs "from providing lasting and climate-smart protection for ecosystems that are expected to endure this century," added Jimena Escovar-Fadul of the global environmental non-profit organization The Nature Conservancy.

However, scientists say their research shows - according to other studies - that coral reefs will not survive 2 degrees of warming, meaning greenhouse gas emissions need to be reduced urgently to sustain them for future generations.