The percentage of reef areas experiencing bleaching-level heat stress is increasing by about 1% a week, scientists say
Global heating has pushed the world’s coral reefs to a fourth planet-wide mass bleaching event that is on track to be the most extensive on record, US government scientists have confirmed.
Some 54% of ocean waters containing coral reefs have experienced heat stress high enough to cause bleaching, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Coral Reef Watch said.
A global bleaching event is declared when at least 12% of corals in each of the main ocean basins – Pacific, Atlantic and Indian – experience bleaching-level heat stress within a 12-month period. The declaration also requires confirmed reports of bleaching.
A reminder that coral reefs can survive bleaching and recover. It’s not the death sentence that we originally thought it was.
It’s certainly not a good thing. They are in danger for sure, but I don’t think the prognosis is as dire as most think.
I was gonna chime in a say similar. They more often than not recover. They aren’t dead.
I mean, it’s not like they’re a fundamental part of the food web or anything…