Record Coral Cover Returns to Great Barrier Reef After Decade of Restoration
Photo: GeoNadir / Unsplash
Scientists monitoring Australia's Great Barrier Reef have recorded the highest coral cover in 36 years of surveys, with hard coral now blanketing more than 30% of the northern reef system. The recovery follows sustained water quality improvements, community-led crown-of-thorns starfish control programmes, and a series of cooler-than-average ocean temperature years. Marine biologists say the findings offer rare proof that coral ecosystems can bounce back when given the right conditions.
Scientists monitoring Australia’s Great Barrier Reef have recorded the highest coral cover in 36 years of surveys, with hard coral now blanketing more than 30% of the northern reef system. The recovery follows sustained water quality improvements, community-led crown-of-thorns starfish control programmes, and a series of cooler-than-average ocean temperature years. Marine biologists say the findings offer rare proof that coral ecosystems can bounce back when given the right conditions.