Great Barrier Reef Coral Seeing Massive Decline

Today, scientists that were involved in a study of Australia’s coral reef reported that thus far, this is the most extensive loss of coral seen. Scientists stated that since 1985, the amount of coral covering the Great Barrier Reef has been cut in half; dropping the reef coverage from 28% to 13.8%. What’s even more interesting is that 2/3 of the decline in coral happened between 1998 and now. According to John Bruno, coral expert and professor at the University of North Carolina- Chapel Hill, this first red flag on the depletion of the reef was seen in 2007. Even though this coral depletion was seen 5 years ago, the alarming rate at which the coral has currently depleted has Bruno, and other experts shocked. So what’s causing this depletion? Tropical storms account for 48% of the depletion while coral predation by crown-of-thorns starfish accounts for 42% of the depletion. Along with this, 10% of the depletion is being caused by coral bleaching. Coral bleaching is when coral ejects the algae that give it its color. This coral bleaching is caused by stresses such as pollution and warming of the sea. Even though tropical storms are out of our control, experts say there are steps that can be taken to save the coral. If fertilizer and other nutrient-rich pollution are taken out of the water, coral could increase at a rate of about one percent per year. This is because with a reduction in fertilizer and nutrient rich pollution also comes a reduction in crown-of-thorns starfish. The authors of this newly released study also mentioned, however, that if nothing is done to preserve the coral, it is estimated that the coral reef will decline another 10% over the next ten years. Even with reducing starfish populations however, scientists say that climate change needs to be stabilized or the coral will continue to decrease. The debate on climate change is very popular right now, especially with the current presidential campaign underway, so it will be interesting to see what, if anything is done to stop climate change, and the reduction of the coral reef soon.

For more information on this newly released study, along with a slideshow and video footage of the coral reef, visit:

Great Barrier Reef coral seeing 'major decline,' scientists report