Australia's Great Barrier Reef is facing a severe coral bleaching event due to heat stress patterns from the summer, confirmed by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA). Widespread bleaching is evident, with further surveys needed to assess severity, according to Roger Beeden, Chief Scientist at GBRMPA. This crisis, attributed to rising sea temperatures exacerbated by climate change and El Niño, echoes global concerns, with the World Wide Fund for Nature-Australia warning of potential significant coral mortality. Coral bleaching threatens reef health, emphasizing the urgent need for action to protect this vital ecosystem and address climate change to prevent further degradation.
Original article written by :Renju Jose
Australia's Great Barrier Reef is facing a major coral bleaching event, with heat stress patterns from the summer contributing to the crisis, announced a government agency on Friday. The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) confirmed the widespread bleaching, indicating extensive damage in shallow water areas. However, further in-water surveys are needed to assess the severity and depth range of the bleaching, stated Roger Beeden, Chief Scientist at GBRMPA.
The bleaching event is attributed to elevated sea surface temperatures, primarily driven by climate change and intensified by the El Niño phenomenon. This alarming news follows similar reports of coral bleaching worldwide. The World Wide Fund for Nature-Australia highlighted the unprecedented nature of this event, expressing concerns about the high risk of significant coral mortality if temperatures do not decrease soon.
Bleaching, characterized by the expulsion of colorful algae from coral tissues, poses a serious threat to coral survival, impacting growth and reproduction. With the Great Barrier Reef contributing significantly to Australia's economy and supporting thousands of jobs, the urgency to protect it has intensified. Australia's ongoing efforts to prevent the reef's inclusion on UNESCO's endangered list underscore the critical importance of addressing climate change to safeguard this iconic natural wonder for future generations.