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The largest coral reef in the world, the Great Barrier Reef, known for its diverse coral population and beauty, has been depleted over the past three decades. More than half of Australia’s coral reef population has now declined.
In a study produced by the Royal Society, it is claimed that the main cause of this impoverishment was climate change and the rise in temperature and sea level.
How does it affect the Australian economy?
Coral reefs remain one of the most significant sources of income for the Australian economy as it is a great tourist site. He was able to contribute $ 4 million in revenue every year. This amount was the revenue backbone of the Australian economy prior to the coronavirus lockdown and pandemic.
Half of the population has run out
According to Terry Hughes, co-author of the research and professor at James Cook University, the number of corals in the Great Barrier Reef has decreased by 80-90% compared to 25 years ago. It was initially spread over a large area of over 2,300 kilometers and gave a $ 4 million boost to the Australian economy.
From 1995 to 2017, small, medium and massive reef island groups in the Great Barrier Reef decreased.
Terry AHfez, of the ARC Center of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, Australia, said:
“We found that more than 50% of the small, medium and large corals in the Great Barrier Reef have been eroded since the 1990s.”
Global warming
Climate change has affected the temperature of the earth. With increasing greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and uncontrolled pollution, the planet’s average temperature has risen. This is due to which the glaciers in the poles are melting at a faster rate than ever.
Due to the melting, there has been a steady rise in sea level. This increase has led to flooding in many countries and now coral reefs in Australia.
Co-author of the study report, Andy Diesel, said:
“The record heat had the worst effect. The effect on coral health is great as the sea temperature increases. This led to collective bleaching conditions in 2016 and 2017. In the reef area, bleaching is a phenomenon that kills corals. “
Effect since 1998
The phenomenon of mass bleaching in the Great Barrier Reef was first noticed in a study conducted in 1998. This year was the year in which Australia experienced record heat. Unfortunately, scientists have said that the Great Barrier Reef cannot be restored to its initial size.
Image courtesy of Jemma Craig / Shutterstock
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