The Awareness Quiz On Coral Bleaching

Explanation
Climate change is one of the leading causes of coral bleaching. Rising sea temperatures due to climate change can result in a process called "coral bleaching," where corals expel the algae living inside them, causing them to turn white. This happens because the corals become stressed and cannot sustain the symbiotic relationship with the algae. Climate change also leads to ocean acidification, which further harms coral reefs. Ozone layer depletion and pollution can also have negative impacts on coral health, but climate change is the primary driver of coral bleaching.

Explanation
The most severe bleaching in 2016 occurred near Port Douglas.

Explanation
Localized triggers, such as changes in temperature or pollution, can lead to localized bleaching of coral reefs. Bleaching occurs when corals expel the symbiotic algae living in their tissues, causing them to turn white. This process is often a response to stress and can be detrimental to the health and survival of coral reefs.

Explanation
Corals can survive short-term disturbances because they have the ability to recover and adapt quickly to changes in their environment. Short-term disturbances may include events like storms or temporary changes in water temperature or quality. Corals have mechanisms in place to repair damage and regenerate their tissues, allowing them to bounce back from these disturbances relatively quickly. On the other hand, long-term disturbances, such as chronic pollution or sustained high temperatures, can have more severe and lasting impacts on coral survival.

Explanation
After bleaching, bleached corals continue to live but they begin to starve. Bleaching occurs when corals expel the symbiotic algae that live in their tissues, causing them to lose their color. These algae provide the corals with essential nutrients through photosynthesis. Without the algae, the corals are unable to obtain enough food and energy, leading to starvation. This can ultimately result in the death of the corals if the bleaching event is severe and prolonged.

Explanation
The correct answer is 1980 and 2016. This means that the average interval between bleaching events has decreased by half between 1980 and 2016.

Explanation
In 2017, the bleaching event extended to the center region of the Great Barrier Reef. This suggests that the coral reefs in this area experienced significant stress and damage due to increased water temperatures. Bleaching occurs when corals expel the algae living in their tissues, causing them to turn white and become more susceptible to disease and death. The fact that the Great Barrier Reef, one of the world's largest and most diverse coral reef systems, was affected by bleaching highlights the widespread impact of climate change on marine ecosystems.

Explanation
When coral polyps undergo bleaching, it means they have expelled the algae living inside them, which provides them with food through photosynthesis. Without this symbiotic relationship, the polyps are unable to obtain enough nutrients to survive. As a result, they eventually starve and die. Once the polyps die, their bodies start to decompose, leading to decay.

Explanation
To recover from bleaching, the zooxanthellae, which are symbiotic algae living within the coral polyps, need to re-enter the tissues of the coral polyps. Once inside, they can restart the process of photosynthesis. This is crucial for the survival of the coral as a whole, as photosynthesis provides the energy and nutrients needed for growth and maintenance. Without photosynthesis, the coral would not be able to obtain enough food and energy, leading to further stress and potential death.