Marine biologists inspect bleached coral around Lizard Island on the Great Barrier Reef
David Gray/AFP via Getty Images
Although coral reefs can recover from bleaching, researchers have found that coral reefs exposed to heat stress have reduced reproductive capacity. This means coral reefs may take longer to recover than previously assumed and may be more vulnerable to future stressors.
Bleaching occurs when corals exposed to above-average sea temperatures expel symbiotic algae within their tissues. These organisms provide most of their food through photosynthesis, as well as giving them their vibrant colors. Remains of bleached coral…
Source: www.newscientist.com
