Coral bleaching is one of the major problems that coral reefs are facing, since coral reefs are a whole ecosystem, and once the corals die or get disturbed, the reefs don’t come back again.Coral reefs are underwater structures that are made out of skeletons of corals. The structures are made out of dead or living coral, these coral reefs are also home to coral species.Coral reefs worldwide are a suffering ecosystems due to climate change. The coral reef is indeed very important for the ocean climate and is home to numeral species. However, over time, a number of disasters have been destroying the coral reef. The main reason behind coral bleaching is climate change. Since our planet is changing, it’s getting warmer day by day, the same is impacting the oceans as well. The great barrier reef is affected day by day because of the ocean temperatures. Although, the bleached coral is caused directly by the sea surface temperatures. Corals are colorful, this color is because of algae, called zooxanthellae. The algae and coral live together, helping each other survive. However, the problem starts when the reef system is disturbed due to sea temperatures. The thermal stress which is caused due to global warming stresses the coral, and as a result, it sheds the algae. In such bleaching events, the algae leave the coral and the coral turns white. If the ocean temperatures continue to stay the same, the bright colors on the coral would never return. In most cases, the bleaching event leaves coral white and the algae never come back.Facts About Coral BleachingOver time humans have started depending on oceans more and more, when it comes to coral reefs they are one of those things we depend on strictly.Coral reefs not only provide jobs to local communities but are also a good source of food. Not just that, from recent studies, it has been known that a coral reef also have medical properties.When we talk about human dependence on coral reefs, more than a million people depend on these reefs for their food and income.There are some threats to the coral reef which are natural, such as diseases and sometimes storms. However, the leading cause of damage to coral reefs is human activities.When it comes to human destruction, very so often the industrial waste which is being secreted in the ocean affects the temperature of the ocean. This is one of the reasons why coral reefs are constantly under threat.Another reason for this is how irresponsibly we cause physical destruction to these reefs.Although sometimes a number of human activities also increases the temperatures of the oceans, and the coral reefs cannot survive below the temperature of 64 F (18 C), some reefs can survive at the temperature of 73-84 F (23-29 C).Causes Of Coral BleachingFor the last four decades, bleaching events have been happening and endangering coral reefs.According to studies, the great barrier reef will entirely disappear by the year 2050. Not just that counting from the year 1973, the great barrier reef has lost almost half of its coral reef.If the great barrier reef dies it means that the damage can’t be undone, the death of the great barrier reef is irreversible and its reefs are irreplaceable.Almost 25% of the marine life in that area will lose their habitat and will ultimately die. Not just that the reefs also protect the coastline, without them that cannot happen.If there are no coral reefs, species such as sharks, whales, and dolphins who depend on reef fish which depend on coral reefs, will also suffer.Almost a million marine life will have to suffer, around a million people will lose their food source as well.Since, reefs are also consumed by native or indigenous people, which will directly affect the economy.The southern reef of the Caribbean sea has suffered the most. Although, there is no comparison with the white band disease which wiped off more than half of the coral reefs in that very region.Effects Of Coral BleachingThere are three main triggers of coral bleaching, one of them is climate change, the second is human interference with the marine ecosystem, and the third is natural causes.There are numeral ways through which we can stop coral bleaching and be a little more responsible for our coral reefs. Recycling is one of the very first things we can do by making sure we don’t pollute the oceans. Also while visiting coral reefs it’s advised to not wear a chemical sunscreen but go for a milder physical sunscreen alternative.Since the coral can never recover from bleaching, once we destroy it we are destroying an ecosystem that took years to build itself.Bleached corals don’t have any further growth and they are more vulnerable to diseases as well, these are only just a few effects of coral bleaching.When the bleaching occurs, the coral doesn’t let the algae come back and in such cases, the coral dies without the algae.The algae help coral survive, which also affects the marine species. After the algae leave the coral reef turns into a pale white color and it dies in some time.When it comes to bleached coral reefs, not just climate change but other factors also matter.The world’s reefs are collectively affected by a number of factors and ocean acidification, low tides, even pollution, and even sunlight can lead to mass bleaching.The marine life runs on a very delicate balance, and once the fragile balance is hampered the coral mortality hits the ground.Severe bleaching can also occur due to various natural reasons as well. In some cases coral bleaching is natural, as mentioned above, the great barrier reef can also be damaged through excess sunlight or just a little change in the tide speed.The main concern behind this issue is once such bleaching events occur, new coral cannot take place. Hence, mass bleaching directly means we are killing the coral reef, an entire ecosystem, this cannot be undone, and once the coral reef dies it’s un-returnable.To explain coral bleaching in a much easier way, it basically stresses the coral reefs which are home to reef fish, which are the main food sources of dolphins and sharks.When such severe bleaching happens, the corals shed their algae and without the algae, it cannot survive, and ultimately both die. However, the main reason why our coral reefs are in danger is because of physical damage or human destruction.Preventive Steps For Coral BleachingHumans along with a few collective factors are the reason behind this bleaching event.Reefs are colorful and are made from living and dead organisms.Once an event of coral bleaching occurs, the reefs start to turn white and lose their color. This happens when the coral reef sheds the algae, the algae are very important for both the coral and the algae to survive.Together, they help each other and once the algae are gone, the coral dies and this process is irreversible.Once a coral dies it affects marine life and humans as well.One of the main reasons why coral bleaching is the worst thing we can do to our oceans is we are destroying an ecosystem that took decades to form and once it’s destroyed it is never going to return back.A number of steps are being taken to protect the reefs, however, being responsible can help the reefs.We can recycle, not throw waste in the ocean, not wear harmful products when visiting reefs.We have already destroyed half of the great barrier reef, which resulted in the loss of jobs and food for the native and indigenous people in that very area.
Coral bleaching is one of the major problems that coral reefs are facing, since coral reefs are a whole ecosystem, and once the corals die or get disturbed, the reefs don’t come back again.
