Environment Scientists Announce That The Great Barrier Reef is Officially “Terminal”

[tom_mai78101]

Why care about reefs? In a word—biodiversity. The reef is home to 3,000 varieties of mollusks, over a hundred types of jellyfish, 1,625 species of fish, hundreds of shark and ray species, and over 30 kinds of whales and dolphins. These sea creatures call the soft and hard corals that make up the reef “home.” And without it, many of them will die.

If that’s not enough, it has the distinction of being the largest living structure on the planet.

The Great Barrier Reef is home to 3,000 individual coral reefs stretching across a staggering 2,575 kilometers (1,600 miles), covering an area of about 344,400 square kilometers (133,000 square miles.)

Unfortunately, because of back to back mass bleaching events, scientists are telling us that the massive, impressive Australian Great Barrier Reef is now at a ‘terminal stage’—with large portions having no hope of recovery.

Mass bleaching, a phenomenon caused by global warming, is prompted when the water warms to a point that corals begin ejecting the symbiotic algae in their tissue, essential for their survival. Throughout history, there have only been four instances of this occurrence, and after such an event, it will take decades to recover.

Scientists Announce That The Great Barrier Reef is Officially “Terminal”

The Great Barrier Reef in Australia is recognized as the biggest living structure on Earth. Unfortunately, it's dying.

futurism.com

 

[iPeez]

Unfortunately, because of back to back mass bleaching events, scientists are telling us that the massive, impressive Australian Great Barrier Reef is now at a ‘terminal stage’—with large portions having no hope of recovery.

Mass bleaching, a phenomenon caused by global warming, is prompted when the water warms to a point that corals begin ejecting the symbiotic algae in their tissue, essential for their survival. Throughout history, there have only been four instances of this occurrence, and after such an event, it will take decades to recover.

Read more here. (Futurism)

According to the 2014 report of the Australian Government's Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA), climate change is the most significant environmental threat to the Great Barrier Reef,[5] while the other major environmental pressures are listed as decreased water quality from land-based runoff, impacts from coastal development and some persistent impacts from fishing activities. The reef is also threatened by storms, coral bleaching and ocean acidification.

A study in 1990 concluded that the reef is too young to contain oil reserves.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental_threats_to_the_Great_Barrier_Reef

At least this beauty will remain untouched by oily hands for now!

I highly recommend this documentary for anyone interested.
It offers insight in both the threats the natural wonder faces and great film of it's diversity and life.

http://attenboroughsreef.com/