Coral bleaching

Coral bleaching is a broad yet complex topic that involves the mutualistic and obligate symbiosis between corals and dinoflagellate algae of the genus Symbiodinium, commonly referred to as zooxanthellae. Bleaching occurs when a significant concentration of the zooxanthellae are no longer fixed on the coral, which occurs due to an inability to perform their role (Wooldridge and Done 2009). With the often colorful dinoflagellate algae gone, the coral is left as a white carbonate skeleton (Douglas 2003)

Coral Bleaching Coral reefs are the most biodiverse ecosystem on the planet. There are more than 25,000 known species of organisms and countless others that have yet to be identified (Helvarg, 2000). Reefs thrive on the shallow edge of tropical seas, most often on the eastern edge of continents along warm water currents that brush the coasts. Reefs cannot live in cold waters and are limited by ocean depth and available sunlight. Coral is the foundation of the reef community, providing a

face its worst coral bleaching to date. This Friday, the Department of Natural Resources announced that, as was forecast, coral reefs across Hawaii from the northernmost spot in the Hawaiian Archipielago, Kure Atoll, all the way to the island of Hawaii are already feeling the effects of coral bleaching. Coral bleaching occurs when ocean temperatures rise above their accustomed range, causing coral to expel the algae that they and creatures living in them feed from. It’s called bleaching because as the

Coral bleaching occurs when the microscopic plants (zooxanthellae) are expelled by rising ocean temperature. When there are no microscopic plants such as zooxanthellae, the coral turns white and die. The studies show that throughout the worlds ocean, from the Florida Keys to the Great Barrier Reef of the Australia have been evidence of unique coral bleaching caused by the rising of ocean temperature. In the early 1980s the coral bleaching event has increased because of rapid increase of sea water

Coral reefs are unique and diverse underwater marine ecosystems that are found in many parts of the world. Today these tropical reefs suffer a great deal of environmental stresses and are projected to decline over the next century due to global warming. In Grottoli’s article: The cumulative impact of annual coral bleaching can turn some coral species winners into losers, she elaborates on the effects of annual bleaching on three species of coral. Grottoli took three species of coral such as O. Faveolata

Reef alone contains 1400 different species of coral (Stokes et al., 2004), which is an aquatic invertebrate that provides a home to millions of different species of organisms. In the past decade the number of coral species classified as endangered has increased (Sarkar & Ghosh, 2013), with coral bleaching being the main, underlying cause (Lukoschek et al., 2013). Coral bleaching is part of the natural evolution of coral, however several mass bleaching incidences have occurred in recent decades due

mass bleaching of corals” speech on the 31st March. The lecture presented the current situation coral of the Great Barrier Reef, the influences of global warming on recurrent coral bleaching and some solutions of preventing the present alarming rates of coral ‘die off’ associated with severe and recurrent coral bleaching. Professor Terry Hughe is Director of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef, who researches the linkages between coral reef ecosystems and people. He studied in coral bleaching

this will cause the worst coral bleaching that Hawaii has ever experienced. Coral reefs are still trying to mend from the bleaching of last year. The bleaching of coral reefs is when warm water forces algae to leave the reef. Once the algae disappear, the coral goes from a vibrant color to a pale white. As one marine biologist said, “You go from a vibrant, three-dimensional structure teeming with life, teeming with color, to a flat pavement...” This bleaching makes the coral more vulnerable to diseases

Coral reefs are extremely diverse and important to sea life. They cover about 0.2% of the ocean floor yet more than 25% of the marine life finds itself home within the coral reefs. Not only do coral reefs provide shelter for sea life, they also protect shorelines from erosion. In this case, coral reefs do not just serve the ocean but they serve human life as well. Rainforests are number one when it comes to their diversity of animals and species, and coral reefs are second in diversity. Unfortunately

Coral Bleaching Abstract Coral reefs have been called the rainforests of the ocean and are one of the most diverse and important ecosystems on the planet. This paper will explore how global warming has effected these fragile ecosystems. It will focus on the impact of increasing ocean temperatures on coral reefs. Coral Reefs Coral reefs exist globally from 30N to 30S latitude and have existed in some form on Earth for over 200 million years. Over 2500 species of coral have been identified