Dear MEL Topic Readers,
84% of the world’s coral reefs hit by worst bleaching event on record
Great Barrier Reef, Belize Barrier Reef, and the Red Sea reefs are a few of the most popular examples of beautiful coral reefs. Coral reefs are known for their vibrant colors and diverse ecosystems, making them one of the most biodiverse habitats on Earth. Approximately 25% of all marine species can be found in, on, and around coral reefs. They are underwater ecosystems built by tiny marine animals called coral polyps. These polyps live in colonies and form hard, stony structures that provide shelter and food for a wide variety of marine life, including fish, sea turtles, crustaceans, and invertebrates. However, coral reefs are facing threats from climate change, pollution, and overfishing. When corals are under stress, they expel the microscopic algae that live in their tissues. Without these algae, corals’ tissues become transparent, exposing their white skeleton. Recently, the International Coral Reef Initiative announced that harmful bleaching of the world’s coral has grown to 84% of the ocean’s reefs, the worst ever recorded. As the planet becomes warmer, much of the heat is going into the oceans, giving more stress to coral reefs. It may not be too long before all the coral reefs become a white skeleton unless immediate actions are taken.
Read the article and learn about endangered coral reefs around the world.
https://edition.cnn.com/2025/04/23/climate/coral-bleaching-record/index.html
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