Work

Coral reef bleaching in the 1980s and possible connections with global warming

Year: 1991

Type: review

Abstract: Scleractinian corals and their symbiotic dinoflagellate algae build massive, wave-resistant coral reefs that are pre-eminent in shallow tropical seas. This mutualism is especially sensitive to numerous environmental stresses, and has been disrupted frequently during the past decade. Increased seawater temperatures have been proposed as the most likely cause of coral reef bleaching, and it has been suggested that the recent large-scale disturbances are the first biological indication of global warming. This article describes recent bleaching events and their possible link with sea warming and other environmental stresses, and offers some speculation on the fate of coral reefs if the Earth enters a sustained period of warming.

Source: Trends in Ecology & Evolution

DOI: 10.1016/0169-5347(91)90208-f

Author: Peter W. Glynn

Institution: University of Miami

Language: English

Topic: Coral and Marine Ecosystems Studies

Subfield: Ecology

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Life below water, Climate action

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $7,030