Despite climate change’s potential impact, the Great Barrier Reef had its highest coral coverage in 36 years from August 2021 through May 2022, the Australian Institute of Marine Science reported Thursday.
The group noted gains in the central and northern sections of the reef were partially offset by losses in its southern portions.
“A third of the gain in coral cover we recorded in the south in 2020/21 was lost last year due to ongoing crown-of-thorns starfish outbreaks,” said Australian Institute of Marine Science CEO Paul Hardisty. “This shows how vulnerable the Reef is to the continued acute and severe disturbances that are occurring more often, and are longer-lasting.”
Amid the increase in coral, Hardisty noted that the reef encountered another mass bleaching event earlier this year. Bleaching is corals’ response to stressful conditions, which could cause them to turn white and potentially die. “The increasing frequency of warming ocean temperatures and the extent of mass bleaching events highlights the critical threat climate change poses to all reefs, particularly while crown-of-thorns starfish outbreaks and tropical cyclones are also occurring,” said Australian Institute of Marine Science team leader Mark Emslie. “Future disturbance can reverse the observed recovery in a short amount of time.
Hardisty noted that the Great Barrier Reef can “still recover in periods free of intense disturbances.”
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Parts of Australia's Great Barrier Reef show highest coral cover in 36 yearsTwo-thirds of Australia's Great Barrier Reef showed the largest amount of coral cover in 36 years, but the reef remains vulnerable to increasingly frequent mass bleaching, an official long term monitoring programme reported on Thursday.
Read more »
Killer whales hunt 9-foot great white shark in drone videoOne scientist called this 'one of the most incredible pieces of natural history ever captured on film.'
Read more »
Great white shark sightings are up in the US, which is kinda good newsMore shark sightings near US coasts have people wondering if great white populations are growing—along with threats of shark bites and other encounters.
Read more »
‘The Great’ Star Nicholas Hoult Says His Character Can “Turn on a Dime”“I’ve had probably more fun playing this character and being in this world than I had for a long time,” says Nicholas Hoult of his role on TheGreat
Read more »
Utah’s Great Salt Lake Is Disappearing – Megadrought Persists Across the US SouthwestUtah’s Great Salt Lake dropped to its lowest recorded water level last month as a megadrought persists across the US southwest. This has forced the fast-growing city to curb its water use. From space, satellite images show how water levels have dramatically fallen from 1985 to 2022 – exposing large
Read more »
Hypnosis hijinks make for an all-time great What We Do In The ShadowsWas that the single funniest and most chaotic sequence that the show has ever produced?
Read more »