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Two-Thirds of Ningaloo Corals Perish in Heatwave
19 Nov
Summary
- Nearly two-thirds of corals died in Ningaloo's northern lagoon.
- A marine heatwave caused unprecedented coral bleaching and mortality.
- The once vibrant reefs are now eerily silent and ecologically simplified.
An unprecedented marine heatwave last summer and autumn has led to the catastrophic loss of nearly two-thirds of corals in the popular northern tourist spots of Western Australia's Ningaloo reef. Scientists describe the affected areas as having undergone a "profound ecological simplification," with significant coral species mortality.
The heatwave, a consequence of global ocean warming fueled by greenhouse gas emissions, caused widespread coral bleaching. When corals are exposed to excessively warm water, they expel the symbiotic algae crucial for their survival. Surveys revealed that many corals bleached in March had died by October.
The degradation of these reefs has had a noticeable impact on the surrounding ecosystem, with a stark reduction in the usual sounds of marine life. This event is part of a larger global pattern of mass coral bleaching, raising serious concerns about the future of coral reefs worldwide and the potential for cascading co-extinctions.
