38-year high coral cover on the Great Barrier Reef, but fragile due to climate change, starfish outbreaks, and cyclones.

The Great Barrier Reef's coral cover has reached its highest levels in 38 years, according to a new report from Australia's Institute of Marine Science. Despite this encouraging sign, the reef's resilience is fragile due to ongoing climate change impacts, crown-of-thorns starfish outbreaks, and tropical cyclones. The AIMS report serves as a reference for measuring the impacts of the recent mass bleaching event and cyclones, with long-term monitoring continuing in September and concluding in mid-2025.

August 06, 2024
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