Climate change is a significant cause of coral bleaching. As water temperatures rise, the coral becomes stressed and the microscopic algae that lives within it leaves. It is the algae that gives coral its color so without it, the coral looks bleached.
Coral reefs are critical components of the marine ecosystem. When they die, many other parts of the system are impacted. It is a widespread global problem. Between 2014 and 2017, 75% of the world’s tropical coral reefs were stressed enough to trigger a bleaching event.
But this week in Cambodia there was a reason to celebrate for the coral. Once a year, the coral reproduces with a spawning event, which is incredibly rare to capture on film. But the environmental group Flora & Fauna, were there to witness it and have shared the stunning pictures and videos.
There is much to learn from this event that will help to inform conservation and protection policies for the coral and the larger ecosystems.
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