Coral bleaching – will global warming kill the reefs?
Further reading
August 2010
The Science of Climate change: Questions and Answers.
A document summarising the current understanding of climate change science for non-specialist readers.
May 2008, pages 34-35
Heat shock (by David Yellowlees and Bill Leggat)
Examines gene expression of corals at high temperatures.
April 2008, page 10
Reef may shift south
Describes research investigating the effect of global warming on location of reef species.
August 2007, page 43
Seeking clues to coral bleaching (by Katherine Munkres)
Looks at the relationship between corals and algae in predicting the impact of climate change on the reefs.
June 2007, page 12
Coral disease linked to warming
Confirms the relationship between a coral disease and rising ocean temperatures.
May 2007, page 12
Fat corals live longer
Says that corals may find that being fat is the best way to survive global warming.
April 2007, page 13
Cold water corals chart heat
Describes how cold water corals are providing a valuable insight into the temperature history of the waters off South Australia.
March 2007, pages 12
Coral stress without precedent
Studies of fossilised coral reefs suggest that modern damage is worse than anything for thousands of years.
August 2006, page 8
Coral damage unprecedented
Compares the species present in ancient and present day reefs.
May 2006, pages 23-24
Coral bleachings strike the world’s reefs (by Michael Perry)
Describes the coral bleaching resulting from the hottest year on record.
March 2006, page 6
Corals kept cool in record heat
Describes the ‘Shade Project’ to protect sections of the Great Barrier Reef from the effects of warming.
November/December 2004, pages 41-42
Algal shuffling helps corals cope with environmental change (by Madeline van Oppen, Angela Little and Bette Willis)
Describes research into the symbiosis between reef-building corals and microscopic algae and how it helps corals acclimatise to environmental changes.
April 2004, pages 23-25
Time's almost up for the Great Barrier Reef (by Ove Hoegh-Guldberg and Hans Hoegh-Guldberg)
Looks at the ecological and economic costs of coral bleaching on the Great Barrier Reef.
No. 124, 2005, page 35
A new bacterium may be associated with reef bleaching (by Steve Davidson)
Describes complex interactions between a new temperature-sensitive bacterium, coral, algae and a coral-grazing marine worm.
No. 115, 2003, pages 37-41
Do sediments sully the reef? (by Steve Davidson)
Investigates the effects of various land uses (eg, cattle and cane growing) on the corals of the Great Barrier Reef.
10 July 2008
Corals join frogs and toads as world's most endangered (by Catherine Brahic)
Reports on the state of the world’s coral species.
13 September 2006
Most corals unable to adapt to warming oceans (by Roxanne Khamsi)
Reports that less than one-quarter of coral species appear able to survive climate change by hosting new types of algae.
8 July 2006, pages 28-29
Intensive care heals damaged coral reefs (by Paul Marks)
Reports on the damage to coral reefs caused by humans and the possibility of protecting them from further damage.
5 February 2005, page 17
Coral reefs create clouds to control the climate (by Alison George)
Describes research showing that corals make a chemical that causes local cloud formation.
11 August 2004
Corals adapt to cope with global warming (by Jeff Hecht)
Describes research suggesting that coral bleaching depends on the algal partner.
10 January 2004, pages 12-13
Sewage nutrients fuel coral disease (by Rachel Nowak)
Discusses how nutrient-rich water, such as agricultural run-off and sewage, can destroy coral.
Page updated September 2010.