After another year of increased coral cover across much of the Great Barrier Reef, main and northern Great Barrier Reef have actually taped their greatest amount of coral cover considering that the Australian Institute of Marine Science started monitoring 36 years earlier.
This year the central and northern Great Barrier Reef have taped their greatest amount of coral cover considering that the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) began keeping an eye on 36 years earlier.
Released just recently, AIMS Annual Summary Report on Coral Reef Condition for 2021/22 programs another year of increased coral cover throughout much of the Reef.
In the 87 representative reefs surveyed in between August 2021 and May 2022 under the AIMS Long-Term Monitoring Program (LTMP), typical hard coral cover in the region north of Cooktown, Queensland, Australia increased to 36% (from 27% in 2021) and to 33% in the central Great Barrier Reef (from 26% in 2021).
Background
The 36-year-long dataset of AIMS Long-Term Monitoring Program (LTMP) is the largest, longest, and a lot of extensive information source on the health of the Great Barrier Reef. It helps identify long-lasting patterns in the condition of coral communities throughout the Reef.
Percent hard coral cover describes the percentage of the reef that is covered in living tough coral. In 2021-22, many reefs surveyed had in between 10 and 50 percent..
Whitening is a corals reaction to difficult conditions such as heat. During whitening, the coral animal loses its cooperative algae and pigments, causing it to turn white and possibly die. Although corals can endure a lightening occasion, they are under more stress.
However, average coral cover in the southern area (from Proserpine to Gladstone) reduced from 38% in 2021 to 34%.
The northern and central Great Barrier Reef have taped their greatest quantity of coral cover given that the Australian Institute of Marine Science began keeping an eye on 36 years back. Credit: Australian Institute of Marine Science
GOALS CEO Dr. Paul Hardisty said the lead to the north and central regions were an indication the Reef could still recuperate, but the loss of coral cover in the southern region demonstrated how vibrant the Reef was.
” A 3rd of the gain in coral cover we taped in the south in 2020/21 was lost in 2015 due to ongoing crown-of-thorns starfish outbreaks,” he said.
” This demonstrates how vulnerable the Reef is to the continued acute and serious disruptions that are occurring more frequently, and are longer-lasting.”
Dr. Hardisty said the increased frequency of mass coral whitening events was “uncharted area” for the Reef, with this years bleaching occasion the 4th in seven years and the very first to occur throughout a La Niña.
” In our 36 years of monitoring the condition of the Great Barrier Reef we have actually not seen lightening events so close together,” he said.
” Every summer the Reef is at threat of temperature level tension, whitening, and potentially death and our understanding of how the ecosystem responds to that is still developing.
” The 2020 and 2022 bleaching occasions, while comprehensive, didnt reach the strength of the 2016 and 2017 occasions and, as a result, we have actually seen less mortality. These newest results demonstrate the Reef can still recuperate in periods free of extreme disruptions.”
Manta-tow study underwater, Great Barrier Reef. Credit: AIMS
Goals monitoring program team leader Dr. Mike Emslie stated the 2022 outcomes built on the increases in coral cover reported for 2021, with many of the boost continuing to be driven by fast-growing Acropora corals.
” These corals are particularly vulnerable to wave damage, like that created by tropical cyclones and strong winds,” he stated.
” They are also extremely susceptible to coral bleaching, when water temperature levels reach raised levels, and are the preferred victim for crown-of-thorns starfish. This suggests that big increases in hard coral cover can quickly be negated by disruptions on reefs where Acropora corals predominate.”
Manta-tow study aerial, Middle Banks Reef, Great Barrier Reef. Credit: AIMS
Dr. Emslie stated environment change was driving significantly regular and longer-lasting marine heatwaves.
” The peak of the most recent lightening event in March occurred when the built up heat tension caused widespread bleaching but not comprehensive death,” he stated.
” The increasing frequency of warming ocean temperatures and the degree of mass whitening occasions highlights the critical risk environment modification poses to all reefs, particularly while crown-of-thorns starfish break outs and hurricanes are likewise occurring. Future disturbance can reverse the observed recovery in a short quantity of time.”