The Great Barrier Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the world’s largest coral reef system has faced a challenging year marked by extreme heat, cyclones, and flooding.
Recent surveys by the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) have revealed alarming coral cover losses, particularly in the northern regions around Cooktown and Lizard Island, where live hard coral cover plummeted by over a third—the steepest decline in nearly four decades.
Dr. Mike Emslie, head of AIMS’ long-term monitoring program, described scenes of devastation at Linnet Reef, calling it “a graveyard of corals.”
He observed extensive areas of dead-standing coral, covered in algae, and lifeless ocean floors stretching out of sight.
The reef’s latest crisis stems primarily from a mass coral bleaching event, a direct result of rising ocean temperatures driven by climate change.
The Great Barrier Reef Faces Unprecedented Coral LossesThe 2024 event is part of a broader global trend that has bleached more than 70% of the planet’s corals across 70 countries.
Coral mortality was exacerbated by two summer cyclones and freshwater runoff from major flooding.
Particularly affected were Acropora corals, known for their branching and plating structures.
While some reefs have retained moderate coral cover of 10–30%, others experienced losses of up to 72%.
Since the late 1990s, mass bleaching events have become more frequent, now occurring almost every other year. Experts warn that the reef’s resilience is reaching its limit.
Richard Leck from the World Wide Fund for Nature-Australia emphasized the urgency of aggressive climate action, advocating for a 90% reduction in emissions by 2035 and an end to new fossil fuel projects.
The Great Barrier Reef’s future hinges on immediate, concerted global efforts to mitigate climate change. Without decisive action, this ecological treasure may cross an irreversible tipping point.