The latest report from Australia’s tropical marine research agency shows hard corals on the Great Barrier Reef have been hit hard by an extreme marine heatwave.
Articles on Mass bleaching event
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Increasing coral bleaching will be worst for the most biodiverse reefs along the equator, impacting the livelihoods and nutrition of the people who depend on them.
The Great Barrier Reef is facing its worst summer of sustained heat stress since the mass bleaching event of 1998, but now with less time to recover amid repeated brutal conditions.
New data shows coral cover in the Great Barrier Reef is at a record high, despite a disturbing decade of marine heatwaves, cyclones and floods. While the data is robust, it can be deceptive.
Coral reefs that suffer widespread bleaching can still recover if conditions improve, but it’s estimated to take up to 12 years. And that’s if no more bleaching events occur.
Top contributors
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Marine Scientist, James Cook University
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Adjunct Associate Professor in Marine Science, James Cook University
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Professor of Global Change Ecology, Adelaide University
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Senior Lecturer and ARC Future Fellow, School of Biological Sciences, Adelaide University
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Distinguished Professor, James Cook University
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Associate Professor, Marine Ecology, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University
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Reef Fish Ecologist, Australian Institute of Marine Science
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Research Program Director – Reef Ecology and Monitoring, Australian Institute of Marine Science
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Senior Research Scientist in Reef Ecology, Australian Institute of Marine Science