CORALS :
GEOGRAPHY
NEWS : Corals
in Great Barrier Reef face existential threat by highest temperatures in 400
years: Study
WHAT’S IN THE NEWS?
Study
warns of possible demise of one of Earth’s greatest natural wonders, without
rapid, coordinated and ambitious global action to combat climate change
Corals
- Classification:
Invertebrates from the Cnidaria group.
- Formation: Created by small organisms
called polyps that secrete calcium carbonate exoskeletons.
- Appearance: Range in color from red to
blue, commonly brown and green, due to microscopic algae within polyps.
- Types of Reefs:
- Fringing Reefs:
Form along shorelines.
- Barrier Reefs:
Form in open water.
- Atolls: Circular reefs around
sunken volcanoes.
- Significance:
- Provide habitat and protection for 25% of
marine life.
- Support over 1 billion coastal people through
food, livelihoods, and recreation.
Coral
Bleaching
- Cause: Occurs when corals expel
algae due to rising sea temperatures, low salinity, cold waters, or
pollution, leading to loss of color.
Great
Barrier Reef (GBR)
- Location: North-east coast of
Australia.
- Features:
- Largest coral reef system.
- Home to 400 coral types, 1,500 fish species,
and 4,000 mollusc species.
- Habitat for dugongs and large green turtles.
- Current Concern:
Ocean temperatures at GBR are the highest in 407 years, threatening coral
existence.
Source : https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/corals-in-great-barrier-reef-face-existential-threat-by-highest-temperatures-in-400-years-study#:~:text=An%20adversely%20changing%2