Coral reefs are highly productive marine ecosystems formed by coral polyps living in symbiotic association with zooxanthellae algae. Global warming has emerged as a serious threat to this delicate coral life system.
heat stress
algal expulsion
coral bleaching
low carbonate ions
poor calcification
weak skeleton
biodiversity decline
fish loss
reef degradation
Global warming affects coral reefs mainly through rise in sea surface temperature. Heat stress forces corals to expel zooxanthellae, causing coral bleaching. If high temperature persists, corals may die. Examples include bleaching in the Great Barrier Reef, Lakshadweep and Andaman-Nicobar reefs.
Global warming also increases ocean acidification, reducing carbonate availability and weakening coral skeleton formation. It disturbs reef food chains, reduces fish breeding grounds, increases disease vulnerability and damages marine biodiversity. Loss of coral reefs also weakens coastal protection, tourism and fisheries-based livelihoods.
Thus, global warming threatens the survival of coral life systems by causing bleaching, weak calcification and biodiversity loss. Their protection requires climate action, marine conservation and pollution control.