A sobering study released today shows more than half of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef has disappeared over the past 27 years.

Scientists from the Australian Institute of Marine Science in Townsville have found the loss of coral is caused mainly by cyclones and crown-of-thorns starfish.

Coral bleaching is also to blame.

The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, warns the rate of the reef’s decline has been higher than previously thought.
————————————————————————————————————————————————

Blimey!!!

Another warmish day unfolding, though there are some clouds. Its nice to have the warmth, but I always tread carefully at this time of year as the snakes are just emerging and if you are going to encounter one, now is the time.

morrie said:

Another warmish day unfolding, though there are some clouds. Its nice to have the warmth, but I always tread carefully at this time of year as the snakes are just emerging and if you are going to encounter one, now is the time.

Whoops, sorry about that.

I had no idea that climate change brought snakes into the Barrier Reef :-/

Divine Angel said:

I had no idea that climate change brought snakes into the Barrier Reef :-/

Sea snakes?

AussieDJ said:

Divine Angel said:

I had no idea that climate change brought snakes into the Barrier Reef :-/

Sea snakes?

actually it could more likely cause a decline in sea snakes.

AussieDJ said:

Divine Angel said:

I had no idea that climate change brought snakes into the Barrier Reef :-/

Sea snakes?

Nah, caps lock snakes…

i blame these new age latte swilling skivvy wearing inner city ponces and their “essential beauty” bleaching.

i blame these new age latte swilling skivvy wearing triton driving inner city ponces and their “essential beauty” bleaching.

fixed.

Boris said:

i blame these new age latte swilling skivvy wearing triton driving inner city ponces and their “essential beauty” bleaching.

fixed.

It was right the first time, it woulda been brown before…

Peak Warming Man said:

A sobering study released today shows more than half of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef has disappeared over the past 27 years.

Scientists from the Australian Institute of Marine Science in Townsville have found the loss of coral is caused mainly by cyclones and crown-of-thorns starfish.

Coral bleaching is also to blame.

The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, warns the rate of the reef’s decline has been higher than previously thought.
————————————————————————————————————————————————

Blimey!!!

I was involved in a time-integrated study on the effects of Crown of Thorns starfish (COTS)infestations on the Great Barrier Reef, quite some years ago. (22 years ago?) Interestingly, we only found evidence for sporadic short-term infestations. It appears that COTS attacks, breeds up whilst the feeding is good, and then eats itself out of house and home quite quickly. The corals then recolonise. It’s like a natural pruning.