Time: allow 30 minutes to complete this activity Think about which type of graph, chart or table will best visually represent the data, and use scale and colour in a way that makes it easy for viewers to quickly understand.

What is the name of the type of coral spearheading the regrowth?Ĭreate a graph, chart or table to compare AIMS’ data from last year to this year.

How much has coral reef coverage grown in the central region?.

How much has coral reef coverage grown in the northern parts of the Great Barrier Reef?.

Which institute conducted the annual monitoring report?.

Google AI to help rescue Great Barrier ReefĮvidence of regrowth on the Great Barrier Reef Great Barrier Reef’s summer of bleach grief

native: originally grew and lived in a particular place.

culled: killed to control the size of a group.

subsequently: afterwards, happening at a later time.

scourge: something that causes great trouble or suffering.

susceptible: likely to be hurt by something.

replenish: restore, return to an earlier condition.uncharted territory: refers to a situation or place not experienced before.

bleaching: when coral turns white because it is stressed by warming water and forces out the algae living in its tissues.impractical: not sensible or realistic to do.“This shows how vulnerable* the reef is to the continued acute* and severe* disturbances that are occurring more often, and are longer-lasting,” he said. The AIMS study found signs of crown of thorns outbreaks on seven of the 28 reefs they surveyed in this region.ĪIMS chief executive Dr Paul Hardisty said a third of coral growth detected in the south last year had been subsequently* wiped out by crown of thorns starfish outbreaks. The Acropora corals are also the preferred food of the crown of thorns starfish, which remains a scourge*, particularly in the waters stretching between Proserpine and Gladstone. The recovery of reefs in the north and central regions was driven by several factors, including fewer destructive storm events, and the regrowth was being spearheaded* by fast-growing Acropora corals, Dr Emslie said.īut while these corals can replenish* quickly, they are also more susceptible* to storm damage and bleaching than other coral formations, he said. Media_camera Australian Institute of Marine Science head researcher Dr Mike Emslie in the field on the Great Barrier Reef. “All bleaching events are different and the fact we’ve had four now in seven years and one in a La Nina year is really concerning. “There will probably be some corals that have died from this event, but we’re not going to see anywhere near the levels like we saw in 2016, 2017,” Dr Emslie said. Head researcher Dr Mike Emslie said the 20 bleaching events led to widespread coral mortality*, but the marine heatwaves that prompted bleaching in 20 were shorter in duration and less intense. Just before the federal election, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority quietly released findings of an aerial survey of 719 reefs, finding evidence of bleaching* on 91 per cent of them.ĪIMS also found evidence of bleaching, although some of its most recent surveys were conducted before last summer’s bleaching event, the fourth in seven years.

Researchers are towed behind boats and assess the coverage and condition of the coral visually. Media_camera This graph shows a fall in coral coverage in the southern region of the Great Barrier Reef since 2021.

Great barrier relief