Great Barrier Reef’s temperature soars to 400-year high
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-02529-9
Earlier this year, the Great Barrier Reef hit its highest temperatures in 400 years, says a new study. Researchers blame human-induced climate change for this record heat, leading to the most severe coral bleaching ever documented. Coral bleaching, which happens when high temperatures stress the coral, expels the algae that nourish it, threatening the reef’s biodiversity and ecosystem services. Though some reef areas have shown resilience, many remain at risk, and the full impact of the recent bleaching event may take months to understand. With ocean temperatures continuing to rise, the reef’s future looks uncertain.
