Understanding Coral Bleaching Reading

This passage delves into the phenomenon of coral bleaching in the Great Barrier Reef. It explains how rising water temperatures stress corals, causing them to expel their symbiotic algae. The text describes the visible effects of bleaching - the coral turning white - and the dire consequences if conditions don't improve quickly. It highlights recent major bleaching events and their widespread impact on the reef. The passage underscores coral bleaching as one of the most significant threats to the Great Barrier Reef's future. Keywords: coral bleaching, Great Barrier Reef, climate change, marine ecosystem, symbiotic algae, coral death, ocean warming, environmental stress, reef conservation, marine biology.