The Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest coral reef system composed of over 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands stretching for over an area of approximately 344,000 square kilometers. The reef is located in the Coral Sea, off the coast of Queensland, Australia. It supports a wide diversity of life and was selected as a World Heritage State in 1981. CNN labelled it as one of the seven natural wonders of the world.
Sadly, a March 2016 report stated that coral bleaching was more widespread than previously thought, seriously affecting the northern parts of the reef as a result of warming ocean temperatures.
More recently, in a news report published in November 2016, the article mentioned that some 67% of the corals died in the reef's worst-hit northern section. The situation was better in the central section, where 6% is perished,while the southern reef is in good health. One of the worst-hit areas is around Lizard Island in Far North Queensland, where around 90% of the coral has died. Dr. Anne Hogget, one of the directors from a research station in Lizard Island, said this was by far the worst event to hit the Great Barrier Reef since she started working there in 1990. She is hopeful that the reef is capable of recovery, but fears it may not be given an opportunity, as sea temperatures continue to rise.
The Australian Government has published a long-term sustainability plan for the reef, and pledged financial support for research into coral bleaching. The 2050 plan identifies the need to help make the reef more resilient to climate change in the future, while trying to lower carbon emissions.
Source:
Griffith, H. (2016, November 28). Great Barrier Reef suffered worst bleaching on record in 2016, report finds. Retrieve December 26, 2016, from http://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-38127320
Great Barrier Reef. (n.d.). Retrieved December 26, 2016, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Barrier_Reef
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