coral bleaching

‘An Underwater Bushfire’: Major Coral Bleaching Event in Northern Parts of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef

‘An Underwater Bushfire’: Major Coral Bleaching Event in Northern Parts of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef

In the past eight years, the Great Barrier Reef — the largest coral reef in the world, stretching 1,429 miles — has experienced five mass bleaching events, tied by scientists to climate change. Most recently, corals around six islands in Turtle Group National Park, located about 6.2 miles off Australia’s Queensland Coast, have seen extensive […]

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    Coral Scientist Predicts Massive Bleaching Events in 2024

    Coral Scientist Predicts Massive Bleaching Events in 2024

    Following what is expected to be the warmest year on record, next year could bring massive coral bleaching events that disrupt marine ecosystems.  Ove Hoegh-Guldberg, a marine studies professor at the University of Queensland, Australia, is predicting that coral reefs will experience dramatic bleaching. Hoegh-Guldberg and colleagues shared their predictions in a “Perspectives” piece for […]

    Deepest Known Evidence of Coral Bleaching Discovered in Indian Ocean

    Deepest Known Evidence of Coral Bleaching Discovered in Indian Ocean

    Coral bleaching occurs when stressors such as changes in temperature, nutrients or light cause corals to expel the zooxanthellae algae living in their tissue, turning them white. The most common cause of coral bleaching is warming ocean temperatures due to climate change. Now, a new study by scientists from England’s University of Plymouth has found […]

    Shading Corals Four Hours a Day Could Slow Bleaching, Scientists Find

    Shading Corals Four Hours a Day Could Slow Bleaching, Scientists Find

    As the climate crisis causes global ocean temperatures to reach record highs, heat stress can lead to an increase in coral bleaching, which makes corals more susceptible to starvation and disease. Mass bleaching events are predicted to increase in severity and frequency, so scientists are trying to find solutions to protect sensitive corals. In addition […]

    Extreme Heat in Florida Keys Threatens an Entire Ecosystem

    Extreme Heat in Florida Keys Threatens an Entire Ecosystem

    In July, a historic marine heat wave descended upon the Florida Keys. Unprecedented coral bleaching ensued within the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS), which boasts the largest coral barrier reef within the continental United States. With high temperatures predicted to persist until October, scientists worry about potential harm to the entire ecosystem. View this […]