Coral reefs are nature's spectacle. They are found in seas and ocean beds around the world. These collections of coral, algae, and mollusks support 25 percent of all marine life. But human activities have put their existence in danger. Bleaching, which is among the most adverse effect of human activities on coral reefs has substantially affected marine life.

Coral farms help coral grow climate change resilient

Land-based farms helping restoration of coral reefs

For the fourth time in the seventh year, corals in the Great Barrier Reef could become a target of mass bleaching - the process in which coral reefs let out algae from their tissue and turn white. A forecast by the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (Noaa) showed how heat is accumulating in various parts of the reef. It further highlighted how it will be high enough for corals to begin with bleaching by late January.

Dr David Wachenfeld, chief scientist at the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority said that currently, the water temperatures are above average “almost everywhere”, with some areas 2C warmer.

WATCH | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/we-need-to-rethink-our-role-on-planet-if-corals-cannot-be-saved-538687">'We need to rethink our role on planet if corals cannot be saved'</a>

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In a report by The Guardian, he said, “The situation at the moment is not what we want, but in a world with a changed climate it’s not surprising.”

A spokesperson said that the bureau’s ocean outlook “is indicating increased thermal stress on the Great Barrier Reef for the remainder of the year and January 2022, reducing in February”.

Not just the Great Barrier Reef, but corals in the Indian ocean are also facing a threat of extinction.&nbsp;

As per a study published in the Nature Sustainability journal, reef systems are at risk of becoming extinct by the year 2070.&nbsp; 
This can lead to a huge loss of biodiversity, hampering the livelihood and food sources of several people in the neighbouring areas.

Due to this the bleaching events are&nbsp;becoming increasingly common.

(With inputs from agencies)

For the fourth time in the seventh year, corals in the Great Barrier Reef could become a target of mass bleaching - the process in which coral reefs let out algae from their tissue and turn white.

For the fourth time in the seventh year, corals in the Great Barrier Reef could become a target of mass bleaching - the process in which coral reefs let out algae from their tissue and turn white. A forecast by the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (Noaa) showed how heat is accumulating in various parts of the reef. It further highlighted how it will be high enough for corals to begin with bleaching by late January. Dr David Wachenfeld, chief scientist at the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority said that currently, the water temperatures are above average “almost everywhere”, with some areas 2C warmer. WATCH | 'We need to rethink our role on planet if corals cannot be saved' × In a report by The Guardian, he said, “The situation at the moment is not what we want, but in a world with a changed climate it’s not surprising.” A spokesperson said that the bureau’s ocean outlook “is indicating increased thermal stress on the Great Barrier Reef for the remainder of the year and January 2022, reducing in February”. Not just the Great Barrier Reef, but corals in the Indian ocean are also facing a threat of extinction. As per a study published in the Nature Sustainability journal, reef systems are at risk of becoming extinct by the year 2070. This can lead to a huge loss of biodiversity, hampering the livelihood and food sources of several people in the neighbouring areas. Due to this the bleaching events are becoming increasingly common. (With inputs from agencies)

Corals in the Great Barrier Reef could become target of mass bleaching

Extreme ocean temperatures have caused the largest bleaching of sea sponges in New Zealand, scientists have said following recent marine heatwaves.

Last month, researchers found sea sponges bleached for the first time ever off the country’s southern coastline. They warned that the issue could rapidly become widespread, reports The Guardian.

Scientists have dubbed it an “alarming” development, saying that it highlights the&nbsp;climate crisis&nbsp;the world is facing.

Sea sponges are marine animals that have been around for about 600 million years. Their skeletons are dense and porous, and they adapt well to their particular habitat, attaching themselves to different types of surfaces, from rocks and corals&nbsp;to soft sediments, like mud and sand. They have even been known to fasten themselves to&nbsp;floating debris, according to the National Ocean Service.

Sponge gardens play a key role in marine ecosystems by creating habitats for fish and releasing carbon that other species feed on.

“As far as we’re aware, it’s the largest scale and largest number of sponges bleached in one event that’s been reported anywhere in the world… certainly in cold waters,” said James Bell, marine ecologist and professor at Victoria University of Wellington, as reported by The Guardian.

Bleaching does not necessarily mean the death of sponges per say, rather it evicts those organisms that dwell within them after they struggle to get food through photosynthesis, denying nutrients and reducing their defences. As a result, the sponges turn completely white.

Bell said that while some species can recover from severe bleaching, others do not.

She said that at least millions of sponges have been bleached in those environments, “maybe even tens of millions - this is one of the most abundant sponges in Fiordland and so it’s a really wide-scale event.”

Till last month, such bleaching had never been seen before in New Zealand, and there were few reports of it happening in cold waters internationally.

Bell said initial experiments confirmed warmer water was the likely cause of the bleaching.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Extreme ocean temperatures have caused the largest bleaching of sea sponges in New Zealand, scientists have said following recent marine heatwaves. Last month, researchers found sea sponges bleached for the first time ever off the country’s southern coastline.

Extreme ocean temperatures have caused the largest bleaching of sea sponges in New Zealand, scientists have said following recent marine heatwaves. Last month, researchers found sea sponges bleached for the first time ever off the country’s southern coastline. They warned that the issue could rapidly become widespread, reports The Guardian. Scientists have dubbed it an “alarming” development, saying that it highlights the climate crisis the world is facing. Sea sponges are marine animals that have been around for about 600 million years. Their skeletons are dense and porous, and they adapt well to their particular habitat, attaching themselves to different types of surfaces, from rocks and corals to soft sediments, like mud and sand. They have even been known to fasten themselves to floating debris, according to the National Ocean Service. Sponge gardens play a key role in marine ecosystems by creating habitats for fish and releasing carbon that other species feed on. “As far as we’re aware, it’s the largest scale and largest number of sponges bleached in one event that’s been reported anywhere in the world… certainly in cold waters,” said James Bell, marine ecologist and professor at Victoria University of Wellington, as reported by The Guardian. Bleaching does not necessarily mean the death of sponges per say, rather it evicts those organisms that dwell within them after they struggle to get food through photosynthesis, denying nutrients and reducing their defences. As a result, the sponges turn completely white. Bell said that while some species can recover from severe bleaching, others do not. She said that at least millions of sponges have been bleached in those environments, “maybe even tens of millions - this is one of the most abundant sponges in Fiordland and so it’s a really wide-scale event.” Till last month, such bleaching had never been seen before in New Zealand, and there were few reports of it happening in cold waters internationally. Bell said initial experiments confirmed warmer water was the likely cause of the bleaching. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

New Zealand sees record sea sponge bleaching, scientists 'alarmed'

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