PTE Summarize Written Text Exercise 11
Coral Bleaching and Ocean Health
Coral reefs, vital to marine biodiversity and coastal protection, are increasingly threatened by coral bleaching—a phenomenon caused by rising ocean temperatures. When stressed by heat, corals expel the symbiotic algae that give them color and nutrients, turning white and often dying if conditions persist. Bleaching events have become more frequent and severe due to climate change, with mass die-offs reported in the Great Barrier Reef and other regions. This loss affects not only marine species that rely on reefs but also human economies dependent on tourism and fisheries. Conservation efforts include marine protected areas, coral gardening, and carbon emission reductions, but many experts warn that without urgent global climate action, coral reefs may not recover. The crisis highlights the delicate balance of ocean ecosystems and the far-reaching effects of human-induced warming.