Marine Heatwaves Threaten Coral Reef Recovery Windows

A warming climate is intensifying El Niño, causing unprecedented marine heatwaves that leave coral reefs little time to recover between bleaching events. Experts warn that reefs, which once had decades to recuperate, may now get only five or six years of reprieve. Many reefs impacted by 2024 heatwaves have had less than a year to recover before facing further stress.

Research indicates that 70-90% of tropical coral reefs could disappear even if global warming is limited to 1.5°C. In India, Lakshadweep reefs illustrate this decline, with coral cover dropping from 37% to under 20% since 1998 due to repeated heatwaves.

Editor's note: Succinctly reports the climate impact on coral recovery windows and the specific data regarding Indian reefs.