Risk level on coral bleaching induced by water temperature
The Marine and Coastal Resources Research and Development Institute, Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, assesses risk on coral bleaching induced by water temperature that causes thermal stress daily by using 30-day daily sea surface temperature from the GHRSST Level 4 OSTIA Global Foundation Sea Surface Temperature Analysis dataset (UK Met Office, 2005) which was produced by the Meteorological Office of the United Kingdom (UK Met Office) and provided publictly through Physical Oceanography Distributed Archive Center (PODAAC). We then calculate Bleaching Alert Area (BAA) index developed by the MCRRDI based on our observations and bleaching records in Andaman Sea to predict possibility for the coral reef to be affected by warming water (table 1)
Table 1 Risk levels and associated impact on coral reef
Color | Risk levels | Likely impacts | |
Watching 1 | Coral may stressed by water temperature | ||
Watching 2 | Coral may get more stress | ||
Alert 1 | Paling color on coral might be observed | ||
Alert 2 | Paling color becomes clearer | ||
Bleaching 1 | Coral might start bleaching | ||
Bleaching 2 | Mass bleaching probably observed |
The criteria was developed based on observations and records in Andaman Sea, then local sensitivity was not included in the consideration and still in need for improvement. Thus, by informing coral bleaching events, it would significantly contribute to our improvement for risk assessment on coral bleaching locally.
Hot Spot
(Defined as area where current sea surface temperature exceeds 3-month averaged sea surface temperature (March-May) by 0.8 degree celcius)
Source: The Marine and Coastal Resources Research and Development Institute, Department of Marine and Coastal Resources