Australia's iconic Great Barrier Reef is undergoing a significant coral bleaching event, highlighting the intense pressure climate change is exerting on this natural wonder. The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) reported that the bleaching aligns with prolonged heat stress experienced over the summer months.
Roger Beeden, Chief Scientist at GBRMPA, emphasized the extent of the issue in a recent video message. \"A widespread, often called mass, coral bleaching event is unfolding across the reef,\" Beeden stated. He noted that aerial surveys have revealed extensive bleaching in shallow waters, but further in-water assessments are necessary to determine the full severity and depth range of the affected areas.
This bleaching event not only threatens the biodiversity of the reef but also the livelihoods of communities that depend on it. The ongoing health of the Great Barrier Reef serves as a critical indicator of the broader impacts of climate change on marine ecosystems worldwide.
Reference(s):
Climate change puts 'tremendous pressure' on Australia's coral reef
cgtn.com
