Investigating mesophotic coral bleaching during the 2023/2024 El Nino Event
Key Facts
FUNDING SCHEME Darwin Plus Local
VALUE £49,408
WHERE British Indian Ocean Territory
Summary
In 2024, the fourth mass global coral bleaching event was declared. While impacts of bleaching on shallow-water coral reefs are well documented, those on Mesophotic Coral Ecosystems (MCEs; 30–150 m) are largely unknown and frequently go unnoticed. This project will build on our previous work in BIOT to further our understanding of the impacts of coral bleaching at mesophotic depths and the resilience of MCEs to climate change. This project will feed directly into conservation and management within BIOT.
