Introduction to Coral Reef Bleaching

Coral reef bleaching is a very serious issue occurring all over the world. Since 1998, there has been a drastic global increase in coral bleaching. Many ecosystems have been affected or have vanished due to coral reef bleaching. In 1998, when coral reef bleaching was first observed, 70 countries reported that their reef ecosystems were being affected. The worst bleaching has occurred in Southeast Asia and the eastern Indian Ocean. Thailand and Indonesia have the most coral mortality rate, both with 80-100% of their coral reef ecosystems bleached.  The Caribbean has also been affected, as well as the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.

            The increased temperature of the ocean waters as well as many other factors have increased the stress levels of coral, forcing them to release the zooxanthellae that live within them. These zooxanthellae provide the coral with nutrients that helps them survive as well as their bright colors. Losing these zooxanthellae is detrimental to the coral. Many coral are able to recover from bleaching, as long as the stress is not too great. Unfortunately, El Niño has increased the water temperature around the world and global warming has added to this temperature increase, putting the stress levels on coral reefs at an all time high.

            Through this blog, our group has tried to raise awareness of the detrimental causes and effects of coral reef bleaching. Three quarters of the world’s population does not know what coral reef bleaching is and how harmful it is to coral reef ecosystems. We hope to reach out to as many people as we can and bring understanding to this topic.

Quirolo, C. (2005). Retrieved from http://www.wri.org/stories/2010/10/have-you-heard-coral-bleaching