The 2014-17 Global Coral Bleaching Event: The Most Severe and Widespread Coral Reef Destruction
Authors: Eakin C. Mark , Devotta Denise , Heron Scott , Connolly Sean , Liu Gang , Geiger Erick , Cour Jacqueline De La , Gomez Andrea , Skirving William , Baird Andrew , Cantin Neal , Couch Courtney , Donner Simon , Gilmour James , Gonzalez-Rivero Manuel , Gudka Mishal , Harrison Hugo , Hodgson Gregor , Hoegh-Guldberg Ove , Hoey Andrew , Hoogenboom Mia , Hughes Terry , Johnson Meaghan , Kerry James , Mihaly Jennifer , Muñiz-Castillo Aarón , Obura David , Pratchett Morgan , Rivera-Sosa Andrea , Ross Claire , Stein Jennifer , Thompson Angus , Torda Gergely , Viehman T. Shay , Walter Cory , Wilson Shaun , Marsh Benjamin , Spady Blake , Dyer Noel , Adam Thomas , Alidoostsalimi Mahsa , Alidoostsalimi Parisa , Alvarez-Filip Lorenzo , Álvarez-Noriega Mariana , Bahr Keisha , Barnes Peter , Sandoval José Barraza , Baum Julia , Bauman Andrew , Beger Maria , Berry Kathryn , Bessell-Browne Pia , Bigot Lionel , Bonito Victor , Brodnicke Ole , Burdick David , Burkepile Deron , Burt April , Burt John , Butler Ian , Caldwell Jamie , Chancerelle Yannick , Chen Chaolun Allen , Cherh Kah-Leng , Childress Michael , Coken Darren , Coward Georgia , Crabbe M. James , Dallison Thomas , Dalton Steve , DeCarlo Thomas , Drury Crawford , Drysdale Ian , Edwards Clinton , Eggertsen Linda , Elma Eylem , Ennis Rosmin , Evans Richard , Eyal Gal , Fenner Douglas , Figueroa-Zavala Baruch , Fisch Jay , Fox Michael , Gadoutsis Elena , Gilbert Antoine , Halford Andrew , Heintz Tom , Hewlett James , Hobbs Jean-Paul A. , Hoot Whitney , Houk Peter , Johnston Lyza , Johnston Michelle , Kayanne Hajime , Kennedy Emma , Kikuchi Ruy , Kloiber Ulrike , Koike Haruko , Kramer Lindsey , Kuo Chao-Yang , Lang Judy , Leadbeater Abigail , Leão Zelinda , Lee Jen , Lewis Cynthia , Lirman Diego , Longo Guilherme , MacDonald Chancey , Mangubhai Sangeeta  , Silva Isabel da , Mason-Parker Christophe , McDonough Vanessa , McField Melanie , Mello Thayná , Agathe Celine Miternique - , Moldzio Stephan , Monroe Alison , Montefalcone Monica , Moses Kevin , Mostafavi Pargol Ghavam , Moura Rodrigo , Munasinghe Chathurika , Nakamura Takashi , Nicet Jean-Benoit , Nuttall Marissa , Oliveira Marilia , Oxenford Hazel , Pandolfi John , Patankar Vardhan , Perez Denise , Perera Nishan , Prabuning Derta , Precht William , Raj K. Diraviya , Reimer James , Richardson Laura , Rotjan Randi , Ryan Nicole , Salm Rod , Sandin Stuart , Schopmeyer Stephanie , Shokri Mohammad , Smith Jennifer , Smith Kylie , Smith S. R. , Smith Tyler , Sommer Brigitte , Soto Melina , Sykes Helen , Tagarino Kelley , Teoh Marianne , Thai Minh , Toh Tai , Tredinnick Alex , Tso Alex , Tyley Harriet , Ussi Ali , Vaterlaus Christian , Vermeij Mark , Vo Si Tuan , Voolstra Christian , Wee Hin Boo , Weiler Bradley , Yahya Saleh , Yeemin Thamasak , Ziegler Maren , Kimura Tadashi , Manzello Derek 
Published: June 2022

Abstract

Ocean warming is increasing the incidence, scale, and severity of global-scale coral bleaching and mortality, culminating in the third global coral bleaching event that occurred during record marine heatwaves of 2014-2017. While local effects of these events have been widely reported, the global implications remain unknown. Analysis of 15,066 reef surveys during 2014-2017 revealed that 80% of surveyed reefs experienced significant coral bleaching and 35% experienced significant coral mortality. The global extent of significant coral bleaching and mortality was assessed by extrapolating results from reef surveys using comprehensive remote-sensing data of regional heat stress. This model predicted that 51% of the world’s coral reefs suffered significant bleaching and 15% significant mortality, surpassing damage from any prior global bleaching event. These observations demonstrate that global warming’s widespread damage to coral reefs is accelerating and underscores the threat anthropogenic climate change poses for the irreversible transformation of these essential ecosystems.