A devastating 'slumping' phenomenon is threatening the UNESCO-listed soft corals of South Korea's Jeju Island. Rising ocean temperatures and climate instability are driving these vibrant ecosystems toward collapse.

  • Soft corals in Jeju Island are experiencing 'slumping,' causing them to collapse and die.
  • Climate change and rising sea temperatures are the primary drivers of this ecological threat.
  • Repeated slumping events significantly diminish the corals' ability to recover.

The vibrant underwater gardens of Jeju Island, South Korea, are facing an unprecedented ecological crisis. Divers and marine scientists are reporting a resurgence of 'slumping'—a phenomenon where soft corals lose their structural integrity and collapse. Unlike their hard coral counterparts, which possess rigid calcium carbonate skeletons, soft corals rely on internal fluid pressure to remain upright.

Local diver Ko Myeong-hyo, who has witnessed the area's transformation over the last six years, expressed profound concern. "Watching the coral garden collapse and turn white, it was so disorienting," she remarked, noting that the once-thriving reefs are now being decimated by rising temperatures and increasingly harsh weather patterns driven by climate change.

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Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that the destruction of soft coral ecosystems has cascading effects on marine biodiversity. These corals provide essential habitats for various sea creatures. When they slump, the entire food web of the Jeju coastal region is put at risk, potentially leading to a total ecosystem collapse.

If large-scale slumping events recur, the corals' capacity to recover declines with each cycle, leading toward permanent deterioration.

Researchers Kim Taihun and Anna Beate Jöst from the Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology have been at the forefront of documenting this crisis. Their research, previously published in Scientific Reports, highlights that the current trend mirrors the devastating events seen in 2024. The threat is compounded by the potential for El Niño to trigger intense typhoons and heavy rainfall.

Historical Context and Environmental Stressors

The waters surrounding Jeju, a UNESCO-protected site, are increasingly vulnerable to external environmental stressors. Beyond rising temperatures, scientists have identified changes in water salinity—partly influenced by runoff from China’s Yangtze River—as a significant factor that disrupts the delicate internal pressure of the soft corals.

Did You Know?: Soft corals are often called 'living tapestries' because of their flexible, flowing movement in ocean currents.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: What causes soft corals to 'slump'?
Answer: Slumping is caused by disruptions in the coral's internal fluid pressure, often triggered by rising water temperatures and changes in salinity.

Question 2: How does climate change affect Jeju's corals?
Answer: Climate change increases ocean temperatures and alters weather patterns like El Niño, both of which create lethal conditions for soft corals.