may be affected in various ways depending on the magnitude and rate of the temperature change. In general, if the water temperature increases beyond the coral's tolerance level, coral bleaching may occur, which is when the coral expels the symbiotic algae that provide it with energy and color. If the high temperature persists, the coral may die. Conversely, if the water temperature drops too low, corals may become stressed and lose their color, but this is often less severe than bleaching. Persistent temperature changes can also disrupt the balance of the reef ecosystem, affecting the growth and survival of other organisms that depend on corals.
