CORAL BLEACHING - ENVIRONMENT

CORAL BLEACHING - ENVIRONMENT

NEWS: As an effect of global warming, Lakshadweep’s corals are getting bleached.

 

WHAT’S IN THE NEWS?

Introduction to Coral Bleaching in Lakshadweep

  1. What is Coral Bleaching?
    • Coral bleaching is a phenomenon where corals expel their symbiotic algae (zooxanthellae), which provide them with food and color. This occurs when corals are exposed to stress factors such as elevated sea surface temperatures or increased ocean acidity.
    • The corals lose their vibrant colors and turn white, resembling bleached skeletons, rendering them vulnerable to diseases and starvation.
  2. Lakshadweep’s Coral Crisis:
    • Coral bleaching, a significant ecological concern, has severely impacted the Lakshadweep Islands.
    • As per the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change, approximately 98% of corals in Kadmat, Kavaratti, and Kilthan islands have undergone bleaching.
    • This widespread bleaching event has disrupted marine biodiversity in one of India’s most pristine and ecologically critical regions.

Global and Local Context of Coral Bleaching

  1. Fourth Global Coral Bleaching Event (GCBE4):
    • The Fourth Global Coral Bleaching Event, which began in 2023, has been identified as the primary cause of bleaching in Lakshadweep.
    • It follows the Third Global Coral Bleaching Event in 2010, after which corals in certain regions, such as Kadmat and Bangaram Atoll, showed promising recovery.
  2. Kadmat Reef’s Significance:
    • Among the 10 inhabited islands in Lakshadweep, Kadmat reef is particularly notable for its high live coral cover, measured at 64.5%.
    • This reef serves as a crucial habitat for marine species and plays a pivotal role in maintaining ecological balance.

Causes of Coral Bleaching

  1. Rising Sea Surface Temperatures:
    • Global warming has significantly increased sea surface temperatures, leading to thermal stress on coral ecosystems.
    • Even slight deviations in temperature can destabilize the delicate symbiotic relationship between corals and algae.
  2. Ocean Acidification:
    • The oceans absorb substantial amounts of atmospheric CO₂, resulting in lowered pH levels. This process, known as ocean acidification, hampers coral calcification, weakening their skeletal structure.
  3. Cumulative Stress Factors:
    • Additional stressors such as overfishing, pollution, and habitat destruction exacerbate the vulnerability of coral ecosystems to bleaching events.

Global Responses and Concerns

  1. International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI):
    • ICRI, a coalition of over 100 nations, underscores the critical need for urgent intervention to address coral bleaching globally.
    • The organization emphasizes that large-scale bleaching events are among the greatest threats to coral reef ecosystems.
  2. Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP16):
    • The recently concluded 16th Conference of Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity expressed serious concerns regarding the escalating frequency of mass coral bleaching events.
    • It warned of the irreversible loss of coral reefs if urgent corrective measures are not implemented.
  3. Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN):
    • The GCRMN, under ICRI, published its 2021 report titled “Status of Coral Reefs of the World: 2020”, highlighting that the 1998 bleaching event alone resulted in the death of 8% of the world’s coral reefs.
    • Preparations are underway for its next status report, set for release in 2026, to provide updated insights into the state of global coral reefs.

Implications and Recovery Prospects

  1. Environmental Consequences of Coral Bleaching:
    • Coral bleaching disrupts marine ecosystems, threatening biodiversity and the survival of species that depend on coral habitats.
    • It adversely affects ecological services, such as coastal protection, nutrient cycling, and carbon sequestration, provided by coral reefs.
  2. Economic and Livelihood Impacts:
    • Coral reefs contribute significantly to fisheries and tourism, both of which are vital for the economy and livelihoods of coastal communities.
    • Bleached or degraded reefs reduce fishery yields and deter tourism, leading to financial losses and reduced food security.
  3. Recovery Potential:
    • Despite the severity of bleaching events, corals can recover under favorable conditions, such as reduced thermal stress and undisturbed ecosystems.
    • Recovery, however, is a slow process, typically requiring 6-7 years, and depends heavily on proactive conservation measures.

Urgency for Proactive Measures

  1. Restoration Initiatives:
    • Targeted restoration programs aimed at reef rehabilitation and biodiversity enhancement are critical to mitigating the effects of bleaching.
  2. Strengthening Climate Action:
    • Addressing global warming through emission reductions and adoption of renewable energy sources is essential to control rising ocean temperatures and acidity.
  3. Enhanced Monitoring and Research:
    • Comprehensive data collection and analysis are necessary to understand bleaching trends and inform conservation strategies.
    • Collaboration with global networks like ICRI and GCRMN can ensure alignment with international best practices.

Conclusion: Charting a Path Forward

  1. The Critical Nature of Coral Ecosystems:
    • Coral reefs are invaluable ecological treasures, providing critical services to marine life and human communities alike.
  2. The Call for Collective Action:
    • Global and local stakeholders must collaborate to address the multifaceted challenges of coral bleaching, ensuring the preservation of these vital ecosystems for future generations.
    • Immediate interventions are required to mitigate ongoing damage, facilitate coral recovery, and enhance the resilience of reef ecosystems in the face of climate change.

Source: https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/specials/clean-tech/coral-bleaching-sweeps-lakshadweeps-islands/article69015490.ece