Parts of the Great Barrier Reef are dying at record rates, alarmed researchers say. ‘Worst fear’ confirmed

Coral mortality in parts of the Great Borough Reef is at an all-time high, an Australian study revealed on Tuesday, leading scientists to suspect the rest of the region may be suffering a similar fate. is concerned.

The Australian Institute of Marine Science said a study of 12 coral reefs found coral mortality rates of up to 72 per cent due to summer long waves. Massive bleaching, two cyclones, and flooding.

In parts of the northern part of the reef, about a third of the hard corals have died, authorities said, marking the “largest annual decline” in 39 years of government monitoring.

The Great Barrier Reef, also known as the world’s largest living structure, is a 1,400-mile stretch of tropical coral reef that is home to incredible biodiversity.

But repeated large-scale bleaching events have turned the once-vibrant coral reefs into a sickly white color, threatening to rob them of their tourist appeal.

Bleaching occurs when water temperatures rise and corals expel microscopic algae known as zooxanthellae in order to survive.

If high temperatures persist, corals can eventually turn white and die.

This year marked the fifth major bleaching event on coral reefs in the past eight years.

But this latest study also found that a fast-growing type of coral known as Acropora suffers from the highest mortality rates.

Although this coral grows quickly, it is one of the first corals to bleach.

Lead researcher Mike Emsley told public broadcaster ABC that last summer was “one of the most severe events” across the Great Barrier Reef, with levels of heat stress exceeding previous events.

“This is a serious impact. This is a serious loss,” he said.

Richard Reck, World Wildlife Fund Australia’s head of oceans, said the initial investigation confirmed “the worst fears”.

“The Great Barrier Reef can bounce back, but there are limits to its resilience,” he said. “We cannot afford to suffer repeated blows like this. We are rapidly approaching a tipping point.”

Lek added that the study area was “relatively small” and feared “similar levels of mortality” would be observed when the full report is released next year.

He said the findings reinforced the need for Australia to strengthen its emissions reduction target of at least 90% below 2005 levels by 2035 and move away from fossil fuels.

The country is one of the world’s largest exporters of gas and coal and only recently set carbon neutrality goals.

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