Coral, despite its appearance, is actually a marine invertebrate that lives in colonies of identical individual polyps.
Mass Coral Bleaching Occurs Again
On April 15, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) alerted the world that the third global coral bleaching event in five years is underway. The coral reef systems from Australia to Florida are facing devastation following months of record-breaking heat in the ocean.
This is the fourth warning of a mass coral bleaching event, following previous alerts in 1998, 2010, and 2016.
"As the world's oceans continue to warm, mass coral bleaching events are becoming more frequent and severe," said NOAA coral reef expert Derek Manzello. "When severe or prolonged, these events can kill corals, which can be devastating for communities that rely on coral reefs for food, livelihoods, and coastal protection."
What is Coral?
Coral, despite its appearance, is actually a marine invertebrate that lives in colonies of identical individual polyps.
