Australian Researchers Develop New Tool to Measure Great Barrier Reef Health

CANBERRA — Researchers in Australia have developed a new framework to more accurately assess the health of the Great Barrier Reef and measure the long-term impact of climate-related disturbances.

The framework, created using more than 30 years of data, is designed to track reef degradation over time and help scientists evaluate the effects of coral bleaching, cyclones and floods, according to the University of Sydney.

Researchers analyzed data dating back to 1995, focusing on coral cover and algae levels. High coral cover is generally associated with healthier marine ecosystems, while increased algae can indicate declining reef health.

Instead of judging reefs by a single coral-cover benchmark, the researchers compared each reef with its own historical conditions, using records extending back to the late 1980s.

“A reef with 30 per cent coral cover might be considered healthy in one location but indicate substantial decline in another,” said Kate Whitton, a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Sydney and lead author of the study published in Marine Environmental Research.

The researchers divided reefs into three categories: healthy, coping and struggling.

According to the study, reefs generally entered a “coping” state when coral cover fell below about 65% of their historical maximum. When coral cover dropped below 35%, reefs were more likely to enter a “struggling” state characterized by increased algae and significant losses of reef-building corals.

Whitton said the framework could help scientists identify reefs at greatest risk and determine when intervention may be needed to support recovery.

Researchers also found that complex coral structures were more vulnerable to disturbances than simpler, rounded corals. The loss of these structures can leave reefs flatter, reducing shelter for fish and protection from storm waves while making coral recovery more difficult. (Source: IANS)