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The large-scale bleaching of coral reefs is being observed from diverse locations such as the Great Barrier Reef in Australia to the shallow reefs of the Caribbean and the coastal stretches of East Africa.
An underwater crisis is unfolding silently, far from the global spotlight. A recent report from the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) revealed that 84% of the world’s coral reefs are being hit by an ongoing mass bleaching event, the fourth of this kind in the annals of history.
This crisis has emerged from climate-change-induced ocean warming, according to the report. It is happening at a rate faster than what was predicted by scientists, in 54 countries and territories.
Despite coral reefs being so vital to ocean health, often referred to as the ‘rainforests of the sea’, these ecosystems cover less than 1% of the ocean floor. Coral bleaching occurs when corals turn white and die due to their link to algae (zooxanthellae) in the marine environment.
Off-balance ocean conditions – specifically high ocean surface temperatures – are the cause of coral bleaching. The zooxanthellae algae are responsible for engaging in the process of photosynthesis, providing the corals not only with the bright colors but also the nutrients they require for survival.
When pushed out of their normal temperature ranges, the coral turns transparent white, a distress call and signal of vulnerability. While the heat stress lasts, the coral will eventually exhaust its food sources and die, with the entire reef ecosystem experiencing collapse.
