1.What is coral bleaching?
Coral bleaching occurs when corals
expel the symbiotic algae, zooxanthellae, from their tissues due to stress,
often caused by elevated sea temperatures. This loss turns the corals white and
can lead to their death if the stress continues.
2.What has been observed in the
Lakshadweep coral reefs?
A significant bleaching event has
been observed, with around 70% of the coral reef area affected. This includes
fast-growing and branching corals like Acropora and Pocillopora, which have
shown extensive bleaching.
3.What causes coral bleaching in
Lakshadweep?
The primary cause is marine
heatwaves (MHWs), where sea surface temperatures rise significantly above
normal. This increase in temperature disrupts the delicate balance of the
marine ecosystem, leading to bleaching.
4.What is the impact of coral
bleaching on marine life?
Coral reefs support a diverse range
of marine species, including fish, invertebrates, and algae. Bleaching can lead
to the collapse of these ecosystems, affecting biodiversity and the livelihoods
of local communities.
5.How does bleaching affect the
local economy?
Coral reefs are a major draw for
tourism, which is a significant source of income for the local population. The
loss of coral reefs can diminish the appeal of these areas for tourists, impacting
the economy.
6.What other environmental factors
contribute to coral bleaching?
Besides rising sea temperatures,
factors like pollution, including plastic waste and microplastics, can
exacerbate the stress on coral reefs. However, oil pollution was not found to
be a significant issue in the Lakshadweep region.
7.What is being done to monitor and
manage coral bleaching?
There are coral bleaching alert systems in place, such as those provided by the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS). These systems help monitor bleaching events and gather data on the affected coral species.
8.How do marine heatwaves (MHWs)
impact coral reefs?
MHWs, characterized by prolonged
periods of elevated sea temperatures, are particularly harmful to coral reefs.
They increase the likelihood of bleaching events and can cause widespread
damage to the marine ecosystem.
9.Is coral bleaching a global issue?
Yes, coral bleaching is a global
phenomenon, exacerbated by climate change. Similar events have been observed in
other parts of the world, such as the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, often
linked to climatic processes like El Nino.
10.Can coral reefs recover from
bleaching?
Coral reefs can recover if the
stressors are removed and favorable conditions return. However, recovery can
take several years, and repeated bleaching events can hinder the long-term
resilience of coral ecosystems.