Coral reefs are one of the most important ecosystems on the planet. Made up of tiny polps, sedimented for hundreds of years, these colorful structures house many marine species and anchor a vibrant ecosystem throughout shallow seas on Earth.
A healthy coral consists of algae and coral working together. With a stressed coral, the algae disperse outside the coral, and the bleached coral has no algae. The whitening of the corals mean that the food supply (algae) is gone and leaves the coral vulnerable to diseases.
Coral bleaching is a consequence that can happen to the reefs and affect many aspects. For example, it can occur if there is a rise in sea levels, climate change, or freshwater dilution, etc. According to Jason Buchheim, the Director of the Odyssey Expeditions , "Coral bleaching is the whitening of diverse invertebrate taxa that results from a loss of symbiotic zooxantheallae and/or a reduction in photosynthetic pigment concentrations in zooxanthellae residing within scleractinian corals" As a result, it can affect the homes for the marine species that live within the reefs.
Overall, it is crucial that people are aware of what causes coral bleaching to occur and ways to prevent it. The video shown below indicates the effects of coral bleaching on the Great Barrier Reef.
With their location, it is important that the coral reefs are properly taken care of.
According to Buchheim "They live in very nutrient-poor waters and have certain zones of tolerance to water temperature, salinity, UV radiation, opacity, and nutrient quantities" Because of their standards, is crucial that people are aware of them now and not disrupt these factors.
The coral reefs are stressed when these factors are disturbed in any way; for example, if the temperature increases or if the dilution process speeds up. As a result, it would be a global warming concern if the sea levels are changing and ozone depletion has increased.
In order to help coral reefs, it is important to save water, volunteer to help clean up the coral reefs, take out the trash and dispose of it properly, etc. The main goal is to return the Great Barrier Reef into a healthy state and to spread awareness about the impact of bleaching to the ecosystem.
