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Global warming and recurrent mass bleaching of corals

Author

Listed:
  • Terry P. Hughes

    (Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University)

  • James T. Kerry

    (Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University)

  • Mariana Álvarez-Noriega

    (Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University
    College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University)

  • Jorge G. Álvarez-Romero

    (Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University)

  • Kristen D. Anderson

    (Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University)

  • Andrew H. Baird

    (Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University)

  • Russell C. Babcock

    (Commonwealth Science and Industry Research Organization)

  • Maria Beger

    (School of Biology, University of Leeds)

  • David R. Bellwood

    (Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University
    College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University)

  • Ray Berkelmans

    (College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University)

  • Tom C. Bridge

    (Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University
    Queensland Museum)

  • Ian R. Butler

    (Australian Research Council, Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland)

  • Maria Byrne

    (School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney)

  • Neal E. Cantin

    (Australian Institute of Marine Science)

  • Steeve Comeau

    (Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Coral Reef Studies, Oceans Institute and School of Earth and Environment, University of Western Australia, Crawley)

  • Sean R. Connolly

    (Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University
    College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University)

  • Graeme S. Cumming

    (Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University)

  • Steven J. Dalton

    (Fisheries Research)

  • Guillermo Diaz-Pulido

    (School of Environment, and Australian Rivers Institute, Griffith University)

  • C. Mark Eakin

    (Coral Reef Watch, US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)

  • Will F. Figueira

    (School of Biological Sciences, University of Sydney)

  • James P. Gilmour

    (Australian Institute of Marine Science, Indian Oceans Marine Research Centre, University of Western Australia)

  • Hugo B. Harrison

    (Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University)

  • Scott F. Heron

    (Coral Reef Watch, US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
    Global Science & Technology, Inc.
    Marine Geophysical Laboratory, College of Science, Technology and Engineering, James Cook University)

  • Andrew S. Hoey

    (Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University)

  • Jean-Paul A. Hobbs

    (Curtin University)

  • Mia O. Hoogenboom

    (Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University
    College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University)

  • Emma V. Kennedy

    (School of Environment, and Australian Rivers Institute, Griffith University)

  • Chao-yang Kuo

    (Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University)

  • Janice M. Lough

    (Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University
    Australian Institute of Marine Science)

  • Ryan J. Lowe

    (Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Coral Reef Studies, Oceans Institute and School of Earth and Environment, University of Western Australia, Crawley)

  • Gang Liu

    (Coral Reef Watch, US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
    Global Science & Technology, Inc.)

  • Malcolm T. McCulloch

    (Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Coral Reef Studies, Oceans Institute and School of Earth and Environment, University of Western Australia, Crawley)

  • Hamish A. Malcolm

    (Fisheries Research)

  • Michael J. McWilliam

    (Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University)

  • John M. Pandolfi

    (Australian Research Council, Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland)

  • Rachel J. Pears

    (Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority)

  • Morgan S. Pratchett

    (Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University)

  • Verena Schoepf

    (Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Coral Reef Studies, Oceans Institute and School of Earth and Environment, University of Western Australia, Crawley)

  • Tristan Simpson

    (Torres Strait Regional Authority)

  • William J. Skirving

    (Coral Reef Watch, US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
    Global Science & Technology, Inc.)

  • Brigitte Sommer

    (Australian Research Council, Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland)

  • Gergely Torda

    (Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University
    Australian Institute of Marine Science)

  • David R. Wachenfeld

    (Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority)

  • Bette L. Willis

    (Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University
    College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University)

  • Shaun K. Wilson

    (Kensington)

Abstract

During 2015–2016, record temperatures triggered a pan-tropical episode of coral bleaching, the third global-scale event since mass bleaching was first documented in the 1980s. Here we examine how and why the severity of recurrent major bleaching events has varied at multiple scales, using aerial and underwater surveys of Australian reefs combined with satellite-derived sea surface temperatures. The distinctive geographic footprints of recurrent bleaching on the Great Barrier Reef in 1998, 2002 and 2016 were determined by the spatial pattern of sea temperatures in each year. Water quality and fishing pressure had minimal effect on the unprecedented bleaching in 2016, suggesting that local protection of reefs affords little or no resistance to extreme heat. Similarly, past exposure to bleaching in 1998 and 2002 did not lessen the severity of bleaching in 2016. Consequently, immediate global action to curb future warming is essential to secure a future for coral reefs.

Suggested Citation

  • Terry P. Hughes & James T. Kerry & Mariana Álvarez-Noriega & Jorge G. Álvarez-Romero & Kristen D. Anderson & Andrew H. Baird & Russell C. Babcock & Maria Beger & David R. Bellwood & Ray Berkelmans & T, 2017. "Global warming and recurrent mass bleaching of corals," Nature, Nature, vol. 543(7645), pages 373-377, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:543:y:2017:i:7645:d:10.1038_nature21707
    DOI: 10.1038/nature21707
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