NOW MORE THAN EVER
Coral reefs
NEeD OUR HELP
SO, WHAT IS CORAL BLEACHING ?
Coral bleaching is the process when corals lose their vibrant colours and turn white. This occurs when the ocean environment changes and gets too hot.
A microscopic algae called Zooxanthellae is what makes coral so bright and colourful. This algae and the coral have a mutually beneficial relationship, both helping the other survive. However when the ocean environment changes, the coral stresses out and expels the algae and fades until it’s been bleached. If these temperatures stay high, the coral won’t let the algae back and the coral will die…
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IMPACT ON WILDLIFE
Coral reefs support some of the most biodiverse ecosystems on the planet.
Thousands of marine animals depend on coral reefs for survival, including some species of sea turtles, fish, crabs, shrimp, jellyfish, sea birds, starfish, and more.
They act as shelters, spawning grounds, and protection from predators as well as support organisms at the base of ocean food chains.
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Therefore it is crucial we do everything in our power to protect these reefs, the home and safety net to so many extraordinary species.
IMPACT ON HUMANS
Coral bleaching impacts peoples’ livelihoods, food security, and safety.
They are natural barriers that absorb the force of waves and storm surges, keeping coastal communities safe. Without them, we must rely on manmade seawalls that are expensive, less effective, and environmentally damaging to construct, increasing the vulnerability of thousands.
Bleached coral also compounds the overfishing crisis by removing links in the food web and depriving some species of a place to spawn and develop. Anyone relying on these animals as a primary source of income or protein will be in trouble.
We need to act now if we want to protect coral for future generations.
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