17 Facts About Coral bleaching

Coral bleaching is the process when corals become white due to various stressors, such as changes in temperature, light, or nutrients.

Coral bleaching can survive short-term disturbances, but if the conditions that lead to the expulsion of the zooxanthellae persist, the coral's chances of survival diminish.

Coral bleaching reefs located in warm, shallow water with low water flow have been more affected than reefs located in areas with higher water flow.

Sixty major episodes of coral bleaching have occurred between 1979 and 1990, with the associated coral mortality affecting reefs in every part of the world.

Factors that influence the outcome of a bleaching event include stress-resistance which reduces bleaching, tolerance to the absence of zooxanthellae, and how quickly new coral grows to replace the dead.

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Scientists believe that the oldest known Coral bleaching was that of the Late Devonian, triggered by the rise of sea surface temperatures.

In 1996, Hawaii's first major coral bleaching occurred in Kaneohe Bay, followed by major bleaching events in the Northwest islands in 2002 and 2004.

In 2010, coral bleaching occurred in Saudi Arabia and Sudan, where the temperature rose 10 to 11 degrees.

Coral bleaching reefs provide various ecosystem services, one of which is being a natural fishery, as many frequently consumed commercial fish spawn or live out their juvenile lives in coral reefs around the tropics.

Coral bleaching reefs act as a protective barrier for coastlines by reducing wave impact, which lowers the damage from storms, erosions, and flooding.

Global coral bleaching is being detected earlier due to the satellite remote sensing the rise of sea temperatures.

The first mass global bleaching events were recorded in 1998 and 2010, which was when the El Nino caused the oceans temperatures to rise and worsened the corals living conditions.

Responses to coral bleaching are diverse between reef fish species, based on what resources are affected.

Coral bleaching-associated fish populations tend to be in decline due to habitat loss; however, some herbivorous fish populations have seen a drastic increase due to the increase of algae colonization on dead coral.

Coral bleaching reefs are affected by bioeroding, scraping, and grazing fish species.

Coral bleaching reefs provide shelter to an estimated quarter of all ocean species.

Coral bleaching reefs are one of the best marine ecosystems to use to as a food source.