[Coral-List] Introducing Bleaching Alert Levels 3-5 in the NOAA Coral Reef Watch Daily Global 5km Satellite Bleaching Alert Area product
Jacqueline De La Cour
jacqueline.shapo at noaa.gov
Wed Jan 17 21:43:51 UTC 2024
On December 15, 2023, NOAA Coral Reef Watch
(https://coralreefwatch.noaa.gov/) implemented a revised coral bleaching
heat stress category system for its daily global 5km-resolution
satellite coral Bleaching Alert Area product
(https://coralreefwatch.noaa.gov/product/5km/index_5km_baa-max-7d.php).
The extreme accumulations of bleaching heat stress in 2023 necessitated
the introduction of additional Bleaching Alert Levels. This development
is a refinement of the original system that only used Bleaching Alert
Levels 1 and 2. The new Bleaching Alert Levels 3-5 provide important,
added detail, for when the magnitude of extreme heat stress exceeds the
threshold of Bleaching Alert Level 2 conditions. Please refer
to https://coralreefwatch.noaa.gov/product/5km/index_5km_baa-max-7d.php
for information on the possible ecological ramifications of these new
alert levels.
We understand that coral bleaching response plans, action plans, and
restoration plans around the world rely on these Bleaching Alert Levels,
to assist with planning and implementation of work by in-water
monitoring and management networks, especially during emergency
situations and periods of extreme marine heat stress. Any actions
managers would have taken previously at Bleaching Alert Level 2 still
apply. However, discussions may need to occur now, among coral reef
stakeholders in many areas, regarding appropriate actions for your
networks, when the extreme Bleaching Alert Levels 3-5 are predicted.
Please reach out to us at coralreefwatch at noaa.gov with any questions or
to provide feedback. Thank you!
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