The Great Barrier Reef has lost more than half of its coral over the past 27 years
He is about to end up run over, his mother saves him
Over the past 27 years, the Great Barrier Reef lost the half of its coral. And the fault, however, is not just man and climate change. To put at risk one of the wonders hidden in the depths of the ocean are also the starfish crown of thorns (Acanthaster planci).
For more or less natural causes, the Australian Great Barrier Reef from 1985 to the present has seen more than halve its red gold. Over half of the coral reefs they disappeared. This loss is due to damage caused by bad weather for 48%, to starfish for 42%, and to coral bleaching (10%). This was discovered by a new study conducted by researchers fromTownsville Institute of Australian Marine Sciences (Aims) in collaboration with colleagues from Wollongong University.
This sad discovery is based on the most complete coral reef monitoring program never made. The program has involved over 100 reefs since 1985, and since 1993 has incorporated more detailed annual surveys covering 47 specific locations.
The researchers spent more 2.700 days at sea to try to feel the pulse of this splendid and delicate paradise, with a total investment of 50 million dollars. But the bitter discovery is only the premise. Continuing like this, i coral reefs could further halve by 2022.
But there are differences. In the north of the Great Barrier Reef coral reefs have remained relatively stable, while in the southern regions the most dramatic loss of coral has been noted, particularly in the past decade when storms have devastated many reefs, as explained by Peter Doherty, Research. AIMS Fellow.
The study clearly shows that three: are the factors predominantly responsible of this loss. The intense ones tropical cyclones, which caused enormous damage, especially to reefs in the central and southern regions of the Reef. The 'demographic' boom of stars Marine, which affected coral populations along the entire length of the Reef. And coral bleaching, both in the northern and central areas of the reef.
“Our data shows that reefs can regain their coral cover after such disturbances, but recovery takes 10-20 years. At present, the intervals between complaints are generally too short for full recovery, which is causing long-term losses, ”said Dr Hugh Sweatman, one of the study's authors.
“We can't stop the storms, and the ocean warming (the first cause of coral bleaching) is one of the critical effects of global climate change, ”added John Gunn, CEO of Aims. "Our goals will be to redouble our efforts to understand the life cycle of the crown of thorns so that we can better predict and reduce periodic population outbursts."
The research was published on Pnas.
Francesca Mancuso
