What Is Coral Bleaching?
What happens to coral when it loses its color?
Coral Bleaching
What makes ocean water warmer and hurts coral?
Climate change
What happens to corals when they lose their algae?
Turns white
What can people use instead of fossil fuels to help coral?
Renewable energy
Which ocean has the Great Barrier Reef?
Pacific Ocean
What tiny algae live inside coral and give them their color?
Zooxanthellae
What gas do people release when they burn fuels that causes warming?
Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
Why is losing algae bad for coral?
Because algae give coral food and energy
What do scientists do to help coral grow back?
Coral restoration or planting new coral
What do algae inside coral provide?
Food and color
What causes coral to get stressed and bleach?
Hot water or warm ocean temperatures
What natural event causes ocean temperatures to rise sometimes?
El Niño
What can happen to coral if bleaching lasts too long?
Coral can die
What is the name of the coral that grows quickly and helps reefs?
Elkhorn coral
What is the name for coral losing its algae?
Coral Bleaching
What color do corals turn when they bleach?
White
Besides heat and Co2, what else can hurt coral reefs?
Pollution
What types of animals live in coral reefs and are affected by bleaching?
Fish and other sea animals
What can we do to stop pollution from hurting coral reefs?
Reduce pollution and keep oceans clean
What can happen if the ocean keeps getting warmer?
More coral bleaching and reef damage
What is the name of the world’s biggest coral reef system affected by bleaching?
Great Barrier Reef
What is the special relationship between coral and algae called?
Symbiosis
What important job do coral reefs do to protect shorelines?
Protect the coast from waves and storms
What group watches coral bleaching around the world?
NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)
Why is coral bleaching a problem for people?
Because reefs protect fish and coasts and support jobs