Healthy reefs have a symbiotic relationship with an algae called zooxanthellae that lives within coral tissues. The combined effect of these stressors is so-called coral bleaching. Meanwhile, our irresponsible use of coastal lands and the preponderance of ocean-bound pollution that comes off them, as well as overfishing that decimates marine ecosystems, aren’t helping. Other climate-related stressors include the fossil fuel-driven acidification of oceans and more frequent, intense tropical storms. Most coral tolerates a range of 75 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit, and temperatures far above that limit are recorded regularly at various locations around the globe.
What’s killing our corals? The main stressor is global warming-induced rising sea temperatures. The non-profit Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network reports that upwards of 14 percent of the world’s coral reefs perished in just the last decade. A comprehensive survey by Canadian researchers in 2021 shows that the world’s oceans have lost about half of their coral cover since the 1950s. Jackson, Tullahoma, TNĬoral reefs around the world are indeed still at great risk. Dear EarthTalk: What can we do to save dying coral reefs? – B.H.
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