@article{fdi:010094394,
  title = {{I}mpact of the 2023 coral bleaching event in {M}artinique, {E}astern {C}aribbean},
  author = {{B}on, {M}. and {K}ayal, {M}ohsen and {D}romard, {C}. {R}. and {D}esrosiers, {C}.},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{M}ass coral bleaching events are increasing in severity and frequency globally. {I}n 2023, the wider {C}aribbean region experienced the longest period of marine heatwave ever recorded. {T}welve sites around {M}artinique island, {E}astern {C}aribbean, were surveyed in {O}ctober 2023, during the peak of this intense bleaching event, in {F}ebruary 2024, one month after the end of the bleaching heat stress with risk of mortality, and in {M}ay 2024, seven months after exposure to the maximum heat stress. {P}oint intercept transects and belt transects were used to evaluate affected coral cover and colonies. {T}he 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. {T}hermal stress during the 2023 event exceeded any previous record, with the present study describing one of the worst bleaching prevalence (86% in {O}ctober 2023) ever observed in the region and a 35% decline of coral cover. {A}mong the species most vulnerable to bleaching are some of the coral taxa that had shown most resistance to the {S}tony {C}oral {T}issue {L}oss {D}isease, another major driver of coral mortality in the {C}aribbean region. {W}e discuss the consequences of this bleaching event in the current context of coral decline in the {C}aribbean region, which suggests a concerning future in a warming climate. {T}he 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.},
  keywords = {{M}arine heat waves ; {C}oral mortality ; {C}aribbean coral reefs ; {G}lobal warming ; {C}limate change ; {D}egree heating week ; {MARTINIQUE}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{C}oral {R}eefs},
  volume = {[{E}arly access]},
  numero = {},
  pages = {[14 ]},
  ISSN = {0722-4028},
  year = {2025},
  DOI = {10.1007/s00338-025-02694-x},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010094394},
}