In June 2015, the South China see saw a 2 degree Celcius increase in surface sea temp, which killed approximately 40% of the coral, according to a study published in Science Reports. Wind and waves churn the water, which cycles shallow-water coral reefs with seawater from the open ocean to help them stay cool. But when there is no wind, and the weather is still, there is no cooling effect. So in June when it was strangely calm, mixed with global warming, the whole reef baked in the sun. 100% of the coral was bleached, and 40% died. The event highlights the consequences for shallow-water coral reefs when global warming intersects with short-lived weather anomalies.
The indicators of global warming and its effects are ever present. Along with coral reefs dying because of stray fishing nets and other pollution, warming temperatures affecting natural ecological processes are killing some of the most crucial ocean ecosystems and habitats for thousands of species. Without healthy coral reefs there can't be healthy oceans, which consequently means an even unhealthier earth.
http://www.whoi.edu/news-release/coral-bleaching
The indicators of global warming and its effects are ever present. Along with coral reefs dying because of stray fishing nets and other pollution, warming temperatures affecting natural ecological processes are killing some of the most crucial ocean ecosystems and habitats for thousands of species. Without healthy coral reefs there can't be healthy oceans, which consequently means an even unhealthier earth.
http://www.whoi.edu/news-release/coral-bleaching
bleached coral, partially dead