On March 8, Australian officials warned that large-scale bleaching is occurring on the country's famous coral reefs and there is a risk that many corals will die if ocean temperatures do not cool down soon in the coming months. next week.
The Great Barrier Reef, the world's largest living structure, visible from space, was listed as a world natural heritage site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization in 1981. .
Previously, the 2.300km long tropical coral reef, home to this beautiful biodiversity ecosystem, experienced serious widespread bleaching six times in 6, 1998, 2002, 2016, 2017. and 2020 and has threatened to turn the once vibrant coral banks white.
Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek emphasized that climate change is the biggest threat to coral reefs in the world and the Great Barrier is no exception. Coral bleaching occurs when underwater temperatures are 1 degree warmer than average over an extended period of time, causing the coral to expel algae living in its tissue and causing the coral's vibrant colors to disappear. Some bleached coral species can recover significantly and potentially recover if ocean temperatures decrease.
Australian Government scientists confirmed the new bleaching episode after conducting an aerial survey of 300 “shallow” coral reefs. Australia's Great Barrier Reef Management Authority said more surveys will need to be conducted to assess the scale and extent of bleaching this time.
According to monitoring results, sea water temperatures along the Great Barrier Reef have increased to record highs in the past few weeks. Mr. Richard Leck, head of oceans at the World Wildlife Fund Australia, warned that mass corals will die if ocean temperatures do not cool down soon in the coming weeks. This bleaching occurred in an area where corals had never been exposed to such extreme temperatures before and highlighted how climate change is putting enormous pressure on the Great Barrier Reef.
Last year, a similar bleaching phenomenon occurred in the Northern Hemisphere, causing mass coral deaths in Florida and the Caribbean.
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