Understanding Coral Bleaching

Coral bleaching is a big problem for the Great Barrier Reef. It happens when corals get stressed, usually because the water is too warm. Corals have tiny algae living inside them that give them their bright colors and provide them with food. When corals are stressed, they push out these algae. This makes the corals turn white or "bleached." Bleached corals aren't dead, but they are in danger. Without their algae, corals don't get enough food and can starve. If the water doesn't cool down quickly, the bleached corals might die. 

In recent years, the Great Barrier Reef has experienced several major bleaching events. These events have affected large parts of the reef, causing some areas to die. Coral bleaching is one of the biggest threats to the future of the Great Barrier Reef.