As much as 80% of coral reefs in parts of Western Australia’s Kimberley Region were severely affected by global bleaching in 2016. Photograph: El Nino is the natural warming of the central Pacific that affects weather around the world, while La Nina is the name for when it cools. Bleaching occurs when a spike in sea temperatures puts coral under stress, causing it to expel the tiny photosynthetic algae responsible for its colours and turning them bone white.
As much as 80% of coral reefs in parts of Western Australia’s Kimberley Region were severely affected by global bleaching in 2016. Photograph: Bleaching occurs when a spike in sea temperatures puts coral under stress, causing it to expel the tiny photosynthetic algae responsible for its colours and turning them bone white.