Transcript:
Australia’s Great Barrier Reef has a wide variety of coral arrays that create homes for animals like fish and sea turtles.
As a popular tourist destination, the reef also provides billions of dollars to the Australian economy.
But last year, a month-long ocean heat wave destroyed many corals in the Great Barrier Reef.
Maria Byrne is a marine biologist at the University of Sydney.
Bourne: “It's been warming all the time. … The heating is very intense.”
Corals contain special algae that provide them with color and food.
But when the ocean is too hot, corals lose those algae – becoming pale, craving food, and being susceptible to disease. This is called bleaching.
Last year, Byrne and her colleagues tracked over 400 corals on the Great Barrier Reef. By April 2024, 80% of the corals have been bleached.
Sometimes corals can recover after bleaching. However, if the heat wave lasts too long, it may not be possible.
By July, 53% of bleached coral Byrne is being monitored.
Therefore, as climate warms and ocean temperatures rise, the risk of coral reefs may increase.
Byrne: “This 2024 event strengthens the demand for climate action.”
Report Credit: Ethan Freedman/Chavobart Digital Media
Repost our articles for free under the Creative Commons license, online or in print.
