Coral reef bleaching 'the new normal' and a fatal threat to ecosystems

Study of 100 tropical reef locations finds time between bleaching events has shrunk and is too short for full recovery

Repeated large-scale coral bleaching events are the new normal thanks to global warming, a team of international scientists has found.

In a study published in the journal Science, the researchers revealed a “dramatic shortening” of the time between bleaching events was “threatening the future existence of these iconic ecosystems and the livelihoods of many millions of people”.

Related: Great Barrier Reef coral-breeding program offers 'glimmer of hope'

Related: Coral bleaching badly affected reefs of Kimberley, study finds