Publication Date
Spring 2025
Abstract
Coral reefs are critical ecosystems that support roughly a quarter of all marine life, yet they are increasingly under threat from climate change. In spring 2024, Misali Island—a well-conserved reef site off the coast of Pemba, Tanzania—experienced one of the most severe coral bleaching events since the global mass bleaching of 1998. This study investigates how the most recent bleaching event has affected fish biodiversity around Misali. Survey data collected through underwater transects revealed that, despite the bleaching, overall biodiversity remains high. This points to a degree of ecological resilience in the reef system. However, a low presence of corallivorous fish may suggest that parts of the coral habitat are still recovering or have experienced more significant damage. These results help establish a post-bleaching baseline and contribute to a longer-term dataset for understanding reef changes over time. Beyond its local significance, this research adds to the broader scientific understanding of coral bleaching impacts and highlights the importance of ongoing monitoring, community engagement, and reef management in a rapidly changing ocean.
Disciplines
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Recommended Citation
Blakely, Louisa, "Impacts of the 2024 Coral Bleaching Event on Reef Fish Biodiversity, Misali Island, Zanzibar" (2025). Tanzania-Zanzibar: Coastal Ecology and Natural Resource Management . 3.
https://digitalcollections.sit.edu/tzz/3