Bon M., Kayal Mohsen, Dromard C. R., Desrosiers C. (2025). Impact of the 2023 coral bleaching event in Martinique, Eastern Caribbean. Coral Reefs, [Early access], [14 p.]. ISSN 0722-4028.
Titre du document
Impact of the 2023 coral bleaching event in Martinique, Eastern Caribbean
Mass coral bleaching events are increasing in severity and frequency globally. In 2023, the wider Caribbean region experienced the longest period of marine heatwave ever recorded. Twelve sites around Martinique island, Eastern Caribbean, were surveyed in October 2023, during the peak of this intense bleaching event, in February 2024, one month after the end of the bleaching heat stress with risk of mortality, and in May 2024, seven months after exposure to the maximum heat stress. Point intercept transects and belt transects were used to evaluate affected coral cover and colonies. The main objectives were to quantify the spatial distribution and level of impact of bleaching on the coral assemblages and to identify the most vulnerable species. Thermal stress during the 2023 event exceeded any previous record, with the present study describing one of the worst bleaching prevalence (86% in October 2023) ever observed in the region and a 35% decline of coral cover. Among the species most vulnerable to bleaching are some of the coral taxa that had shown most resistance to the Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease, another major driver of coral mortality in the Caribbean region. We discuss the consequences of this bleaching event in the current context of coral decline in the Caribbean region, which suggests a concerning future in a warming climate. The reduction of greenhouse gas emissions together with efficient local management is urgently needed to limit further climate and human impacts on corals and support any chances of recovery.
Plan de classement
Sciences du milieu [021]
;
Ecologie, systèmes aquatiques [036]
;
Etudes, transformation, conservation du milieu naturel [082]
