Global Coral Reef Targeted Research and Capacity Building Program (World Bank / GEF)
Over the past ten years, an increasing awareness of the importance of coral reefs has been evident, especially in light of their rapid decline in many regions and their significance to developing countries. Corals are affected by heat stress, and a 1-2º C change in their local temperature above their normal summer maximum temperatures can lead to a phenomenon called “bleaching”, whereby the corals expel their vital algae, leaving coral tissues translucent.  The Bleaching Working Group (BWG) of the targeted research project was founded by the UNESCO / Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) in 2001 to develop indicators specifically for coral bleaching, to examine specific physiological mechanisms for coral bleaching, as well as the local ecological factors that cause bleaching and its after-effects, and differences between direct human stresses and those related to climate change.

UNESCO Sector:  Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission
Responsible Staff:  Maria Hood, Christian Wild
More information: http://www.gefcoral.org/PublicHome/tabid/323/Default.aspx