Researchers alarmed

Coral bleaching worse than ever before

Coral bleaching on the Great Barrier Reef in April 2024(Bild: AFP)

According to the authorities, the Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Australia has been hit by the worst coral bleaching ever observed. According to the authorities, aerial photographs show that around 730 of the more than 1000 reefs are affected by coral bleaching.

It is the fifth massive coral bleaching event on the Great Barrier Reef in eight years.

"The cumulative impact on the reef this summer was higher than in previous summers," the marine park authority said on Wednesday. 

Facts about coral bleaching

When the water temperature rises too much, the phenomenon of coral bleaching occurs. The corals then reject the algae living in them, which are their primary source of food. As a result, the corals lose their color and are in mortal danger. However, there is hope for recovery if temperatures fall and other factors such as overfishing and pollution are reduced.

The Great Barrier Reef is home to more than 600 species of coral and over 1600 species of fish. The enormous reef is so large that it can even be seen from space.

Coral bleaching on the Great Barrier Reef in April 2024(Bild: AFP)

The reef is so large that it can even be seen from space.(Bild: AFP)

Reef is one of the most species-rich habitats on Earth
The living organism stretches over a length of 2300 kilometers off the northeast coast of Australia and is considered one of the most species-rich habitats on earth.