Bleached reefs dominated by susceptible species may change their coral composition.

Changes in coral species also affect the species that depend on them.

Significant genetic and species diversity is likely to be lost.

Coral reefs will not disappear, but susceptible species may be lost from some reefs.

Some communities may suffer socioeconomic consequences resulting from bleaching, as reefs become less attractive to ecotourism and their fish populations change.

Bioerosion and collapse of the reef structure will accelerate changes in reef communities, erosion of beaches, and loss of coral islands.

The sum of these small changes may result in an overall shift in the worldwide distribution of coral reefs and species.