27th June 2024 (11 Topics)

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Catastrophic Bleaching in Lizard Island

Context

Australia’s Lizard Island, nestled in the northern reaches of the Great Barrier Reef, has recently been thrust into the global spotlight due to a catastrophic event—mass coral bleaching. The island has become a tragic emblem of the escalating impacts of climate change on marine ecosystems.

Key Findings

Approximately 97 percent of the coral reefs surrounding Lizard Island have succumbed to bleaching and subsequent mortality.
Coral bleaching occurs when corals expel algae, turning them white and leaving them vulnerable to disease and death.
The severity of bleaching observed at Lizard Island underscores the rapid and devastating consequences of prolonged heat stress on marine biodiversity.
About Lizard Island
- Lizard Island is located in the Coral Sea off the coast of Queensland.
- It is part of the larger Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its stunning coral formations and diverse marine life.

What are coral reefs?

Coral reefs are the colonies of tiny living creatures called ‘polyps’ that are found in oceans.
They are the underwater structures that are formed of coral polyps that are held together by calcium carbonate.
They are usually found in shallow areas at a depth less than 150 feet. However, some coral reefs extend even deeper, up to about 450 feet.
Types of Coral reefs in India:
- Fringing reefs: Fringing reefs evolve and develop near the continent and remain close to the coastline. These reefs are separated from the coastline by small, shallow lagoons. They are the most commonly found reefs in the world.
- Barrier reefs: Barrier reefs are found offshore on the continental shelf. They usually run parallel to the coastline at some distance. A deep and wide lagoon is located between the coastline and the barrier reef.
- Atolls: Atolls are formed on mid-oceanic ridges. They are shaped circularly or elliptically and are surrounded by seas on all four sides and have shallow waters in the center called a lagoon.

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Catastrophic Bleaching in Lizard Island

Key Findings

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