Study published in Nature journal highlighted that repeated mass coral bleaching on GBR driven by high sea surface temperatures are threatening the survival of coral colonies which are backbone of reef.
- From 2016- 2024, there were five mass coral bleaching events on GBR.
- Coral Bleaching: When corals are stressed by changes in conditions such as temperature, light, or nutrients, they expel symbiotic algae, causing them to turn completely white.
- Factors Responsible for Coral Bleaching: Heat stress from raised water temperatures; Increased UV radiation, Runoff and Pollution, Extreme low tides, Ocean acidification etc.
About GBR
- Largest coral reef system in world. The reef is located off the coast of Queensland, Australia, in Coral Sea.
- Inscribed on UNESCO World Heritage List in 1981.
About Coral Reefs
- Invertebrate animals belonging to a large group of animals called Cnidaria.
- Coral reefs are created by millions of tiny polyps forming large carbonate structures.
- Most of world’s coral reefs found in tropical waters.
- More than one-third of world’s coral reefs are located in territories of Australia, Indonesia and Philippines.
- In India, they are found in Gulf of Kutch, Gulf of Mannar, Andaman & Nicobar, Lakshadweep and Malvan.
Importance of Corals Reefs
Steps taken for conserving coral reefs
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