Heat Stress
* The mass bleaching phenomenon is a clear indication of severe heat stress on coral communities
* Many species are turning pale or white, experiencing coral tissue loss and ultimately perishing
* Experts compare losing coral reefs to losing trees in a rainforest
The phenomenon is being reported at a time when National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) of the US has confirmed a global bleaching event across the tropics. Just recently, coral reefs in the biodiversity-rich Gulf of Mannar Marine Biosphere Reserve had started showing signs of mass bleaching.
The mass bleaching has been triggered by several months of elevated global sea surface temperatures (SSTs) resulting from prolonged El Nino conditions throughout much of 2023. Highlights the escalating impacts of climate change on eco-systems across the world.
Researchers explain that bleaching occurs when the symbiotic relationship between the corals and their photosynthetic algal partners deteriorates under stressful conditions - primarily high temperatures.
The expulsion of the algal associate from the coral tissue results in the characteristic whitening or 'bleaching' that signifies stress which leads to corals losing their primary source of nutrition and if stress persists, the eventually starve and perish. While coral bleaching has been reported in the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, reefs in India are exhibiting similar distressing trends.
Though the reefs can recover in patches, researchers indicate that it takes at least six to seven years without further disturbance for noticeable recovery to occur.
Excerpted from Abhilash Chandran's post in the NIE.
Tailpiece.
Got up at my usual time, the chores. Performed the Wednesday aa'rathi in the morning.
The maid was at work.
A quiet day, otherwise.
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