"Coral Bleaching: Patterns and Processes" (work)

"Coral Bleaching: Patterns and Processes" explores how and why corals lose their vibrant colors. Under stress from rising sea temperatures, pollution, or overexposure to sunlight, corals expel the algae living in their tissues—these algae give corals their color and provide essential nutrients. Without these algae, corals turn white or "bleached," making them vulnerable to disease and death. The work examines where bleaching occurs, its causes, and the biological and environmental factors involved. Understanding these patterns helps scientists predict and mitigate the impacts of climate change on coral reef ecosystems.