The great reef of the Australian barrier sees a sharp drop in coral coverage in 2 regions

The great reef of the Australian barrier underwent the largest decrease in coral coverage in two of its three regions in last year, showed published research on Wednesday, following mass laundering of its corals which was among the worst ever recorded.

The Australian Institute of Marine Sciences said that the reef had experienced the most important annual decline in Corail coverage in its northern and southern regions since the start of surveillance 39 years ago, Corail coverage falling between a quarter and a third after several years of solid growth.

“We are now seeing increased volatility in hard coral coverage levels,” said Mike Emslie, head of the Institute’s long -term surveillance program.

“This is a phenomenon that has emerged in the past 15 years and indicates an ecosystem under stress.”

Look | Mass whiteness in the large barrier barrier:

Coral Reefs knowing a mass whitening event

The oceans around the world are experiencing a mass coral whitening event, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric American administration. This means that the coral in each large ocean basin has become white, or even dying, because the water in which it lives is too hot.

The reef, the largest living ecosystem in the world, extends over some 2,400 kilometers off the coast of the state of northern Queensland.

Since 2016, the reef has experienced five summers of mass coral whitening, when large reef sections become white due to thermal stress, which exercises them at a greater risk of death.

The 2024 event had the most important imprint ever recorded on the reef, with high money laundering in all three regions, according to the report.

The Grand Barrier Reef is not currently on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites which are in danger, although the UN recommends that it is added.

Australia has pressure for years to keep the reef outside the list threatened, as it could harm tourism.