bleaching
Credit: Manny Moreno/Unsplash
Reef faces unprecedented bleaching depth and damage
Marine biologist reports the worst Great Barrier Reef bleaching seen in decades.
In short:
- More than half of the surveyed reefs show high or severe levels of bleaching.
- Dr. Selina Ward notes unusual temperature uniformity down to 20 meters, intensifying coral stress.
- Calls for immediate greenhouse gas reductions underscore the urgency of the situation.
Key quote:
“We cannot expect to save the Great Barrier Reef and be opening new fossil fuel developments. It’s time to act and there are no more excuses.”
— Dr Selina Ward, marine biologist
Why this matters:
Corals, crucial building blocks of the Great Barrier Reef, rely on a symbiotic relationship with algae for nutrients and vibrant color. However, when stressed by warmer waters, corals expel these algae, leaving them pale and vulnerable. Bleaching events have become more frequent and severe in recent years, devastating large swaths of the reef.
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Credit: Naja Bertolt Jensen/Unsplash
Caribbean corals suffer extensive bleaching from unprecedented heat
Corals in the Caribbean struggle to recover months after a severe marine heatwave caused widespread bleaching and death, posing a threat to the region's biodiversity.
In short:
- During the record-breaking summer heat of 2023, the Caribbean corals experienced severe bleaching due to prolonged and intense marine heatwaves.
- Some corals are beginning to show signs of recovery, with patches of color returning, yet many remain bleached, indicating ongoing stress and potential long-term damage.
- Despite significant losses, certain areas like Mexico’s Limones Reef and parts of The Bahamas reported higher survival rates, suggesting localized factors or coral resilience.
Key quote:
"There are some corals that have energy and are resistant. We need to keep working for them."
— Valeria Pizarro, marine biologist at the Perry Institute for Marine Science
Why this matters:
Coral reefs are among the most biologically diverse ecosystems on the planet, providing habitat, breeding, and nursery grounds for numerous marine species. The loss of coral through bleaching can lead to declines in reef fish populations, changes in species composition, and the loss of biodiversity. This disrupts the balance of the marine ecosystem, affecting predator-prey relationships and the health of the reef system as a whole.
As warming waters and acidification threaten corals around the world, scientists are gathering clues to save the charismatic colonies and bolster biodiversity.
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Photo by Naja Bertolt Jensen on Unsplash
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