Coral Bleaching

Introduction

• It is on the hardly researched coral reefs that many species of marine inhabitants find their shelter. 
• However, these ecosystems are under a severe danger of coral bleaching arising from an increase in sea temperatures influenced by climate change. 

Structure of Coral Reefs 

• Coral reefs are made up of coral polyps, which are small animals that create a firm outer shell, known as exoskeletons, that is made up of calcium carbonate. 
• It should be noted that continuously the mentioned exoskeletons accumulate and reciprocally form the complicated structure of the reef. 
• Coral polyps are the base and are the small animals that form the coral and have algae living inside them and are nourished by photosynthesis. 

Causes of Coral Bleaching 

• Bleaching of the coral is signalled when the coral is stressed, and as a result, pushed into expelling algae that live within the coral. 
• This may be as a result of the water temperature varying or water salinity or as a result of exposure to pollutants. 
• But the primary reason for coral bleaching is an increase in average sea temperature as a result of climate change. 

Effects of Coral Bleaching 

Coral bleaching is known to be very destructive to the coral reefs. When the algae are expelled, the food that had been nourishing it is also gone and that is where the term ‘bleaching’ comes in; the coral dies and since coral plays a very important role in the food chain, this death has very serious repercussions. 

Impact on Marine Life 

• They particularly are home to floor fish, crustacea, mollusca and other forms of sea creatures. 
• In fact, when the coral dies, these animals lose their homes and food and this in one way or the other reduces their numbers.

Consequences for Human Communities 

• Self organisation of coral reefs also serves the human benefits by acting as a barrier against shore damage, stocking or fish supply and as a target for tourism. 
• When the coral dies, these benefits are no more; hence, affecting the economy and the people’s welfare. 

Solutions 

• According to the case, in order to solve the problem of coral bleaching the levels of greenhouse gases should be decreased as well as climate change impacts should be minimised. 
• This can be done by adopting such methods like shift towards use of green energy, efficiency enhancement, and conserving carbon sinks. 

Conclusion 

• Another consequence of climate change, coral bleaching has its effects of reduction of diversity, function and services of coral reefs. 
• These are some of the most important ecosystems in the world and it is now high time to act and control the emission of greenhouse gases to counter the challenges posed by climate change.

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