Coral cover has increased in all three regions on the Great Barrier Reef and is at regional highs in two of the three regions, according to a report by the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS).
Coral cover has increased in all three regions on the Great Barrier Reef and is at regional highs in two of the three regions, according to a report by the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS). But the results come with a note of caution.
Most of the underwater surveys contributing to these findings published today, were conducted before and during the recent mass bleaching event, one of the most extensive and serious on record, and have not yet captured how many corals survived or died following the bleaching.
Surveys in the Central region were also completed before the passage of tropical Cyclone Jasper in December 2023.
AIMS’ Long-Term Monitoring Program (LTMP) leader Dr Mike Emslie said coral cover increases were a positive sign but did not reflect the potentially destructive consequences of the 2024 mass bleaching event.
Read more at Australian Institute of Marine Science
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