Scientists report coral death
This news was expected, but now that it is here, it is seen as no less shocking.
Ever since a historic coral bleaching event hit the treasured Great Barrier Reef in March — courtesy of a dramatic influx of warm water — scientists have been trying to take a toll of the damage. The latest report, from researchers with the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies at James Cook University in Queensland, was viewed as reaffirming some of the worst fears.
It’s important to caution that not all of the evidence is in yet. The Great Barrier Reef takes time to survey.
Still, it appears that in the northern part of the Great Barrier Reef, large volumes of corals may have died. That’s the part of the reef researchers say was the most “pristine” — in other words, the least damaged by pollution and other human influences.
“In the area [where] I am, I’m at Lizard Island, about 250 kilometers north of Cannes, around about 80 percent and upwards of the corals have died,” said Andrew Hoey, a senior research fellow.
In a press release from the ARC Centre, one of Mr. Hoey’s colleagues, Greg Torda, said “millions” of corals in the northern sector of the reef have died.
Even though their studies are not complete, the researchers are asserting that this is far worse than prior bleaching events.
The research has also shown that in the central and especially the southern parts of the reef, the damage has been considerably less severe. The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority estimates that 22 percent of corals across the entirety of the reef have died.