More than one-third of all coral reefs in Guam were killed from 2013 to 2017 over the course of multiple bleaching events, previous UOG research led by Laurie J. Raymundo found. Coral bleaching occurs when corals are stressed by environmental changes and expel the essential symbiotic algae that live in their tissues, causing them to turn white and often die.
This latest study examined the resilience of staghorn corals, Acropora cf. pulchra, in heightened seawater temperatures. This species of coral is one of Guam’s dominant reef builders, and its habitats experience temperatures up to 97 degrees Fahrenheit during the hottest months of the year, leaving it vulnerable to bleaching episodes and population decline.
Study shows shading coral can reduce bleaching
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Environmental News Network - Light, in Addition to Ocean Temperature, Plays Role in Coral Bleaching
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IMAGE: Staghorn corals in the reef flat off Hagåtña appear bleached as a response to stress from environmental changes. As one of Guam s dominant reef-builders whose habitat experiences temperatures up to. view more
Credit: University of Guam
A study by University of Guam researchers has found that shade can mitigate the effects of heat stress on corals. The study, which was funded by the university s National Science Foundation EPSCoR grant, was published in February in the peer-reviewed Marine Biology Research journal. We wanted to see what role light has in coral bleaching, said UOG Assistant Professor Bastian Bentlage, the supervisor and co-author of the study. Usually, people talk about temperature as a cause for bleaching, but we show that both light and temperature work together.