Coral of Lizard Island die off after bleaching event

(MENAFN) Lizard Island, part of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, has experienced an alarming coral die-off, with 92% of surveyed corals destroyed following a mass bleaching event in 2024, according to recent research findings.

Using drone-based assessments, scientists evaluated the impact of what is known as the Fourth Global Coral Bleaching Event at Lizard Island. Their analysis revealed that 96% of corals in the area showed signs of bleaching, with average mortality reaching 92%, and some areas experiencing over 99% coral loss.

"This marks one of the highest coral mortality rates ever documented globally," said the study's lead researcher Vincent Raoult from Griffith University's School of Environment.

Raoult emphasized that the scale of destruction was "unprecedented," especially since Lizard Island did not face the same extreme heat levels recorded in other parts of the reef.

Drone imaging allowed researchers to map the extent of the coral damage with high accuracy. Jane Williamson of Macquarie University, who co-authored the study, highlighted the importance of immediate action on climate change. She warned that continuous exposure to marine heatwaves could lead to irreversible harm to reef ecosystems.

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