Coral reef safe zones set to plummet, while potential bleaching events loom in Qld, WA
2 years, 10 months ago

Coral reef safe zones set to plummet, while potential bleaching events loom in Qld, WA

ABC  

The number of coral reefs worldwide that will be spared the harm of warming is predicted to plummet within just a few decades. Key points: Researchers predict just 0.2 per cent of the world's reefs will be unaffected by warming at 1.5C Signs suggest bleaching events may occur in WA and QLD in the coming weeks Climate action is the only thing that can really improve the outcome for coral reefs That's the finding of research published today in the journal PLOS Climate, which comes as reef scientists "anxiously" eye off the potential for bleaching events on the Great Barrier Reef and in Western Australia over the coming weeks. The Great Barrier Reef suffered bleaching events in 2016, 2017, and 2020, and the co-author of today's paper, Scott Heron from James Cook University, said scientists were anxiously watching weather patterns in Queensland's north, and off the northern WA coast. "Here we are at the end of January — summertime in Australia — and we're seeing heat stress developing to a point of potential widespread coral stress on the Great Barrier Reef," Dr Heron said. At 1.5C of warming, they found only a few reefs in Polynesia and the Coral Triangle in the western Pacific would be spared recurring "thermal stress events" at least once every 10 years, according to Dr Heron.

History of this topic

“Absolutely devastating”: Climate change is pushing coral reefs to extinction, experts warn
1 month ago
Great Barrier Reef hit by more bleaching
1 month ago
Parts of Great Barrier Reef record highest coral deaths due to heat, storms
1 month ago
Nearly half of tropical coral species face extinction: report
1 month, 1 week ago
Fourth mass coral bleaching prompts UN emergency session at Colombia biodiversity summit
1 month, 3 weeks ago
Highest ocean heat in 400 years poses 'existential threat' to Great Barrier Reef
4 months, 2 weeks ago
Great Barrier Reef endangered by hottest oceans in 400 years, study finds
4 months, 2 weeks ago
What we do in the shallows: Inside the mad dash to save coral reefs around the world
5 months, 2 weeks ago
Global coral bleaching crisis: Indian Ocean reefs severely affected by record heat, says NOAA
6 months ago
Over 60% of world's coral reefs likely bleached in just the past year
7 months, 1 week ago
Experts say coral reef bleaching near record level globally because of ‘crazy’ ocean heat
7 months, 1 week ago
Lakshadweep in ecological crisis: Researchers find widespread bleaching of coral reefs due to marine heatwaves
7 months, 2 weeks ago
Widespread coral bleaching recorded in Lakshadweep Sea: CMFRI report
7 months, 2 weeks ago
Australia’s Great Barrier Reef suffers worst bleaching on record
8 months, 1 week ago
Global coral bleaching event called by US climate agency for the fourth time in history after year of extreme ocean heat
8 months, 1 week ago
Scientists say coral reefs around the world are experiencing mass bleaching in warming oceans
8 months, 1 week ago
Coral reefs undergoing fourth global bleaching event, say US scientists
8 months, 1 week ago
Coral bleaching: Ocean heat is driving a mass bleaching event, and it could be the worst on record
8 months, 1 week ago
Coral reefs around the world experiencing mass bleaching, scientists say
8 months, 1 week ago
Scientists detect coral bleaching in Great Barrier Reef's far north
9 months, 1 week ago
Australia's Great Barrier Reef in grip of 'mass bleaching event'
9 months, 2 weeks ago
Australia’s Great Barrier Reef hit by mass coral bleaching
9 months, 2 weeks ago
NOAA extends coral reef alert scale after extreme coral heat stress
10 months, 2 weeks ago
Cause and Effect | Alarming rise in ocean temperatures spells doom for coral ecosystems
10 months, 2 weeks ago
Cuban scientists hunt for clues to save coral reefs as ocean temperatures soar
1 year, 3 months ago
Pacific coral reefs show increase in climate resistance: Study
1 year, 4 months ago
Sea temperatures lead to unprecedented, dangerous bleaching of Florida's coral reef, experts say
1 year, 4 months ago
Sea temperatures lead to unprecedented, dangerous bleaching of Florida’s coral reef, experts say
1 year, 4 months ago
Great Barrier Reef heatwave sparks fear of 'potentially catastrophic' coral bleaching event
1 year, 4 months ago
Australia welcomes lifting of UNESCO threat to list Great Barrier Reef as World Heritage in danger
1 year, 4 months ago
Scientists say Florida Keys coral reefs are already bleaching as water temperatures hit record highs
1 year, 5 months ago
It's so hot, heatwaves are underwater
1 year, 5 months ago
Coral Bleaching: What is it?
1 year, 5 months ago
Florida coral reefs risk ‘nasty bleaching’ as temperatures reach 90F: ‘We’re in unchartered territories’
1 year, 5 months ago
To restore reefs dying in warming seas, UAE turns to coral nurseries
1 year, 6 months ago
To restore reefs dying in warming seas, UAE turns to coral nurseries
1 year, 6 months ago
Coral bleaching causing ’unnecessary’ fish fights, threatening their survival
1 year, 11 months ago
Scientists freeze Great Barrier Reef coral in a world-first trial
2 years ago
Heat-resilient Red Sea reefs offer last stand for corals
2 years, 2 months ago
Explained | The Great Barrier Reef’s recovery and vulnerability to climate threats
2 years, 4 months ago
Parts of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef show fragile comeback
2 years, 4 months ago
What the new Australian government needs to do as Great Barrier Reef suffers fourth bleaching in seven years
2 years, 7 months ago
Most Great Barrier Reef coral studied this year was bleached
2 years, 7 months ago
Most Great Barrier Reef coral studied this year was bleached
2 years, 7 months ago
Coral reefs provide stunning images of a world under assault
2 years, 7 months ago
Coral reefs provide stunning images of a world under assault
2 years, 7 months ago
The phenomenon of coral bleaching
2 years, 8 months ago
Great Barrier Reef in fourth mass bleaching event since 2016
2 years, 8 months ago
Fish on Australia's Great Barrier Reef are losing their colour, study finds
2 years, 9 months ago
Great Barrier Reef suffers widespread coral bleaching
2 years, 9 months ago

Discover Related