Coral bleaching occurs when a coral loses its symbiotic relationship with its algal partner (termed "zooxanthellae"). This occurs when corals are exposed to environmental stressors like temperature shifts, changes in pH, and excess nutrients. Corals are sometimes able to recover from bleaching, but prolonged exposure increases risk of starvation and disease. CIMAS scientists actively monitor local reefs for signs of bleaching, and are working to identify corals that are more resilient to envrionmental stressors to help inform coral restoration practices.
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