Elevated sea-water temperature and solar UV-B flux associated with two successive coral mass bleaching events in Tahiti

Abstract

After a minor coral bleaching event in 1993, a more dramatic episode occurred in Tahiti from March to July 1994. Coral bleaching was recorded along four continuous 25-m-long line transects. Physico-chemical parameters of the sea water (temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen and pH) were noted once a week, and solar UV-B flux was recorded daily before and during the bleaching episode. Results emphasized the importance of the taxonomic position of coral in susceptibility to bleaching. The evolution of bleaching through time was related to mean daily solar UV-B flux and sea-water temperature. Moreover, comparison of the 1993 and 1994 data suggested temperature and/or UV-B thresholds that may elicit minor or severe bleaching events.