The 100 coral formations reviving Great Barrier Reef

AUSTRALIA’S Great Barrier Reef is more resilient to climate change and better able to regenerate itself than previously thought, scientists have said.

A study has revealed a collection of 100 individual reefs spread throughout the 2,000mile-long marine ecosystem that not only withstand warming seas and attacking starfish but also protect others. Although only constituting around three per cent of the whole Great Barrier Reef, the newly discovered coral formations are being likened to the “cardiovascular system” of the World Heritage Site.

Above average ocean temperatures have caused “bleaching” in recent years, where coral expels the algae that gives it colour and provides most of its energy. The Great Barrier Reef has also been affected by outbreaks of coraleating crown-of-thorns starfish.

However, the research by the University of Queensland found a collection of reefs lying in cooler areas are able to supply their larvae to other reefs via ocean currents.

The study, published in the journal PLOS Biology, estimates the 100 reefs can supply larvae to almost half of the entire ecosystem in a single year. “The presence of these well-connected reefs on the Great Barrier Reef means that the whole system of coral reefs possesses a level of resilience that may help it bounce back from disturbances, as the recovery of the damaged locations is supported by the influx of coral larvae from the non-exposed reefs,” said Dr Karlo Hock.