How does rising ocean temperature affect the Great Barrier Reef?

Rising ocean temperatures significantly impact the Great Barrier Reef by causing coral bleaching. This phenomenon occurs when the symbiotic algae (zooxanthellae) living within corals are expelled due to heat stress. These algae provide corals with food and color; their absence causes the coral to turn white and can lead to starvation and death if temperatures do not return to normal.1234

The Great Barrier Reef, a vast complex of reefs off Australia's coast, is home to immense biodiversity. However, it is fragile and highly sensitive to temperature fluctuations. Increased ocean temperatures, driven by global warming, have led to more frequent and severe mass bleaching events since 1998, threatening the reef's survival and the marine life that depends on it.356