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Why in News:
- The fourth global mass coral bleaching event has been triggered, marking it as the most severe to date.
About Corals and Coral Bleaching:
- Corals: Marine animals that form colonies of genetically identical individuals called polyps. They attach permanently to the ocean floor and use tentacle-like structures to feed.
- Types of Corals: Mainly classified into hard and soft corals. Hard corals build the limestone skeletons that form coral reefs.
- Coral Reefs: Known as the “rainforests of the sea,” coral reefs support a diverse range of marine life and provide significant economic value through coastal protection, tourism, and fishing.
Coral Bleaching:
- Process: Corals expel the algae living in their tissues, called zooxanthellae, under stress conditions such as elevated water temperatures, causing them to turn white.
- Consequences: While not immediately fatal, bleached corals are under increased stress and are more susceptible to disease and death.
Current Global Bleaching Event:
- Extent: The event has affected approximately 54% of the world’s coral areas, with significant bleaching reported across various regions including the Great Barrier Reef.
- Causes: Primarily driven by higher ocean temperatures, exacerbated by climate phenomena such as El Niño.
- Impact: The full impact is still unfolding, but it is recognized as the most severe bleaching event recorded.
Global Significance of Corals:
- Ecosystem Services: Coral reefs are crucial for biodiversity, provide protection against storm surges, and support millions of people worldwide.
- Economic Value: Estimated to provide goods and services worth about $375 billion each year.
- Cultural Importance: Sites of immense natural beauty, supporting tourism and local economies.
Climate Change and Corals:
- Future Projections: Increasing global temperatures could lead to more frequent and severe bleaching events. Significant coral loss is projected with 1.5°C of warming, and nearly all could be lost with 2°C.
- Action Required: To limit global warming to 1.5°C, significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions are necessary by 2050, as outlined in the Paris Agreement.
