The 1997-1998 Mass Bleaching Event Around the World

Conclusions

The most extensive coral bleaching ever reported has occurred during the 1997-1998 period. There has been bleaching in most parts of the coral reef world with extensive mortality of fast growing, as well as some slow growing corals in places. Some areas have reported bleaching for the first time. However, large areas have not been affected and in others, there has been widespread recovery of bleached corals.

This event will result in poor coral cover and possibly fewer new coral recruits on many reefs for the next 10 years until recovery gains speed. In the short-term, this will impact adversely on the economies of many tropical countries, particularly those reliant on tourism income. If this is a rare event, the long-term consequences for coral reefs around the world are relatively minor. There will be a shift in the composition of coral communities; some will have greater dominance by slow growing massive corals, whereas some others the reefs will lose century old colonies. But such shifts have occurred in the past and are part of the normal variability of many coral reefs. If, however, the recent bleaching event is linked to global climate change and will be repeated regularly in the immediate future, the consequences would be serious for many coral reefs if sea surface temperatures show a continuing upward trend.

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Last updated - 7 December 98

Copyright ©1996-1998 Australian Institute of Marine Science

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