Mass Coral Bleaching Events in the Great Barrier Reef
Sea surface temperature
(SST) is now recognised as the primary cause of regional or mass, coral bleaching events
(Hoegh-Guldberg 1999). Coral bleaching results from the loss of
symbiotic algae, known as zooxantheallae, from coral tissues during
times
of stress, often due to SSTs higher than the coral
colony's tolerance level (Liu et al. 2003). The most significant mass
coral bleaching event recorded in the
Great Barrier Reef (Queensland, Australia) occurred during 2002, where
up to 60% of reefs surveyed were affected (Berkelmans et al.
2003), and 5% were severely damaged.
For more information on coral bleaching and climate change
impacts on reefs refer to the Great Barrier Reef Marnie Park Authority.
Remote sensing data products, e.g. ReefTemp,
and seasonal forecasts from models such as POAMA can be used to detect
anomalous SSTs. These products have revolutionised
the way in which coral bleaching events are monitored and assessed in
the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea.
Experimental SST Anomaly
Forecasts
The following plots show the latest experimental
sea
surface temperature (SST) forecasts from POAMA V1.5 at lead times of
0-7 months for the Great
Barrier Reef region. Plots are updated daily and based on
the
ensemble mean of the last 30 forecasts. Figures can be enlarged by
clicking directly on them.




References:
Berkelmans, R., De'ath, G., Kininmonth, S. and
Skirving, W., 2004. A comparison of the 1998 and 2002 coral bleaching
events on the Great Barrier Reef: spatial correlation, patterns and
predictions. Coral Reefs 23(1): 74-83.
Hoegh-Guldberg, 1999. Coral bleaching, climate change and the future of
the world's coral reefs. Review, Marine and Freshwater Research, 50:
839-866.
Liu, G., Strong, A.E. and Skirving, W., 2003. Remote
sensing of sea surface temperatures during 2002 Barrier Reef coral
bleaching. EOS 18(15): 137-144.
Last updated: 31 July
2007