Great Barrier Reef Suffers Devastating Coral Bleaching After Scorching Summer

The Great Barrier Reef is facing a catastrophic situation after another scorching Australian summer triggered widespread coral bleaching and mortality, according to leading marine scientist Terry Hughes and a recent report by New Scientist.

• Severe Bleaching and Mortality: Extensive bleaching, a stress response that turns coral white, has been observed across the reef. Professor Hughes highlights that this bleaching translates to mass coral death, with hundreds of millions already succumbing to prolonged heat stress.
• Dead and Dying Corals: New Scientist's report echoes these concerns, describing the reef as "dead, bleached and fluorescing coral." Algae growth on the corals confirms their demise, as algae only colonize dead coral skeletons.
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  Recovery Unlikely: The dead corals won't regain their color when temperatures drop. This is particularly worrying for areas that had shown some recovery from previous bleaching events.
• Previously Recovered Reefs at Risk: Heat-sensitive corals, like Acropora tables, which had contributed to recent recovery efforts, are experiencing high mortality. This suggests a potential "reset" for recovery progress on these reefs.
• Witness Accounts: Tourists visiting the reef confirm the grim situation, with over 70% of the coral dead or bleached in some areas.

The situation highlights the devastating impact of rising sea temperatures, likely caused by human activity, on this vital marine ecosystem. Professor Hughes' comments emphasize the urgency of addressing climate change to protect the Great Barrier Reef from further decline.