Increased sea surface temperatures not only affect the weather on earth, but also make a lot of coral reefs in different regions of white. Most coral reefs are bleached experienced a rapid recovery process, but many of them eventually die.

Surveying Marine Program The Nature Conservancy (TNC) Indonesia, led by Joanne Wilson, in eight locations of coral reefs of Wakatobi National Park in April 2010 states, 60 percent-65 percent of coral reefs suffered bleaching observed (bleaching) with many different levels. As many as 10 percent-17 percent pemutihannya total.

The eight locations that observation is Matahora Coral, Octopus Coral, Coral Kapota, Otiole Coral, Coral Kaledupa, Koko Reef, Coral Moromahu, and Palahidu.

Reefs that suffered bleaching by more than 20 percent is Otiolo Coral, Coral Kaledupa, and Coral Palahidu. Meanwhile, the healthiest coral reefs found in the Reef Octopus (70 percent) and Dale and Coral Reefs Matahora between 45 percent and 50 percent.

The high number of healthy corals at Reef Octopus does not mean that in there coral reefs really healthy. The condition is more due to reefs in the area of single colonies or small colonies.

Reefs that suffered bleaching total Seriatopora generally of the species, whereas a moderate pemutihannya of Pocillopora species, non-Acropora branching, and Acropora palifera. Most coral species can survive is to Acropora.

Information from a number of divers states, bleaching of coral reefs of Wakatobi occurred since March 2010. The difference of quantity and quality of bleaching observed in eight locations caused by variations in sea temperature that is local as well as water quality and composition of different species.

Bleaching

Total on coral reef bleaching process indicates mutualism symbiosis between coral and zooxanthellae is not happening anymore. Zooxanthellae have been signed out to leave the coral tissue. However, for the bleached coral zooxanthellae his most shows are still there though can not work optimally.

BL Willis in the Biology of Reef Corals (James Cook University, 1997) mentions, the release of zooxanthellae, a type of single-celled algae growth, causing a food source for corals do not exist anymore. In fact, coral zooxanthellae utilize photosynthesis to survive.

Departure of zooxanthellae can be caused by changes in temperature, salinity or salinity levels, or differences in chemical concentration of the surrounding environment of a sudden. Changes in the environment suddenly makes it easy to biota that is in it becomes stressful.

Bleaching can also be caused by the presence of spiny starfish. However, the bleaching effect of this animal is generally forms the flow motion.

Fisheries Coordinator TNC Joint Program-World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) said Sugiyanta Wakatobi, bleaching of coral reefs in the Wakatobi National Park is not only due to rising sea surface temperatures. Some bleaching was also caused by the use of potassium and bombs in fishing.

"Bleaching is caused by potassium or fish bombs usually occur at specific points only, while the bleaching due to rising sea temperatures usually occur evenly," he said.

Recovery

Although also affected by the warming of sea surface temperature, Wakatobi reefs recovering faster than most coral reef bleaching is also experienced in other places. Back normal conditions triggered by the coral reefs of Wakatobi Wakatobi waters normally quick to invite back the zooxanthellae.

Marine Protected Areas Program leader of WWF Indonesia, Vedic Santiaji, say, the coral reefs of Wakatobi does have a pretty good ability to survive due to environmental changes. During 2003-2008, when many coral reefs in many parts of the world went white, coral reefs of Wakatobi relatively more awake.

Coral reefs bleached Wakatobi new show symptoms in 2009. Quantitative measurement of new bleaching was carried out in April 2010.

However, when double-checked in September 2010, the condition of coral reefs has been recovered. The recovery of coral reefs in quick time certainly encouraging because the recovery of coral reefs in other places last long.

"At another place was white, Wakatobi reefs untouched. On the contrary, while other areas have not recovered, Wakatobi was recovered first," he said.

The recovery of coral reefs was marked by improvement in the condition of coral reef cover in the original part was damaged.

However, it has not been ascertained whether all species of corals that had bleached was recovered as usual. A number of coral species can recover quickly or have a good ability to survive environmental changes. However, there are species of corals which was slower to recover.

Corals are slow to recover easily replaced by a more rapid recovery of coral. This condition results in the domination of one particular species of coral in one area waters.

According to the Vedas, rapid recovery was due to the character of the open waters of Wakatobi to facilitate the movement of ocean currents. Wakatobi waters flanked on the north side of the Banda Sea and Flores Sea in the east and west and south sides.

The movement of surface currents pushed the movement of ocean currents in the surface. Conditions that make Wakatobi sea surface temperature is more easily maintained its stability.

Sugiyanta added, rapid recovery was also due to water conditions Wakatobi is still quite good and far from pollution.

When water returns to its normal condition, the zooxanthellae will return to near coral reefs so that the re-colored. As a result, coral reefs are generally live in shallow water were quickly restored.

The recovery of coral reefs provide great significance for the fishermen. Coral reefs are the best places for the fish to breed. Therefore, good condition is an indicator of the abundance of coral reef fish in the surrounding area waters.