Coral bleaching has left only 1% of Japan's biggest reef healthy

Rising sea temperatures have severely impacted Japan's largest coral reef, with only 1% in good health. The reef has experienced significant bleaching events in 1998, 2001, 2007, and 2016, leading to an 80% reduction in coral volume in the Sakisa Lagoon. This lagoon, covering 67.89 square kilometers, has only 1.4% of its corals healthy. Coral reefs, though only 1% of the marine environment, support 20.5% of sea life. Recovery is possible if sea temperatures drop and algae recolonize the corals.

What has been the primary cause of the decline in the health of Japan's largest coral reef?

• Overfishing

• Pollution

• Tourism

• Rising sea temperatures

In which years did significant bleaching events occur in the reef?

• 1995, 2001, 2008, 2015

• 1990, 2000, 2007, 2016

• 1992, 2003, 2009, 2017

• 1991, 2002, 2006, 2018

What is the approximate size of the Sakisa Lagoon?

• 50 square kilometers

• 67.89 square kilometers

• 75 square kilometers

• 80 square kilometers

What percentage of sea life is supported by coral reefs, despite their small coverage of the marine environment?

• 25%

• 20.5%

• 15%

• 10%

What is necessary for coral reefs to recover from bleaching?

• More fish population

• Higher sea temperatures

• Increased sunlight

• Drop in sea temperatures and algae recolonization