Parts of the Great Barrier Reef have suffered the highest coral mortality on record, according to Australian research. Surveys of 12 reefs found up to 72% coral mortality, due to a summer of mass bleaching, two cyclones, and flooding.
In one northern section, about a third of hard coral had died, the “largest annual decline” in 39 years of government monitoring.
The quick-growing coral species known as acropora suffered the highest rate of death. This type of coral is one of the first to bleach when water temperatures rise.
Scientists are concerned this represents a “serious impact” and “serious losses” for the Great Barrier Reef, which is already under threat from repeated mass bleaching events in recent years.
Experts say the reef can bounce back, but there are limits to its resilience, and it cannot withstand repeated hammering from events like this. There are fears that similar levels of mortality may be observed across the full reef when the full report is released.
The findings reinforce the need for Australia to commit to stronger emissions reduction targets and move away from fossil fuels, in order to protect the future of the Great Barrier Reef.
Source: ScienceAlert
