Great Barrier Reef

https://www.msn.com/en-us/video/animals/why-the-great-barrier-reef-needs-us-more-than-ever/vi-AAuiVYL

The health of one of Australia’s greatest natural treasures the “Great Barrier Reef “is improving, according to a new government study. According to Phil Mercer ‘joint report by the Queensland state government and its federal counterpart shows that pollution flowing into the Great Barrier Reef has declined. Farmers are praised for reducing the amount of harmful fertilizers, pesticides and other contaminants running from their properties into coastal waters. But poor water quality, exacerbated by runoff from farms, continues to be one of the most significant threats to the long-term health of the reef, which stretches about 2,300kilometers down the north-east coast of Australia.’

An author of The Guardian Josh Davies say that ‘The Great Barrier Reef has had a rocky few years. The world heritage site, which stretches for thousands of kilometers along the eastern coast of Australia, has been hit by an unprecedented two bleaching events in the past two years. There are now fears that a third – although smaller – bleaching event could occur over the next few months. The latest forecasts from the US National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Coral Watch program warn that bleaching of portions of the reef is very likely over the coming months leading into February. There are some significant limitations, however, as the further into the future the predictions go, the more hazy and uncertain they become. Regardless, the researchers still believe there is reason to be concerned. The forecasts have put certain portions of the southern reef, which to date have escaped much of the worst of the recent bleaching, on “Alert Level 1” by late February, which means that while bleaching is considered likely to occur, it is not necessarily expected to be as harsh or prolonged as to cause the coral to die. Scientists, however, still think that there is reason to be worried. The last two years have hit the reef hard, with some parts in the north having been decimated and up to 90 percent of the coral in some reefs having been killed. Those who study the reef had hoped that this season the water temperature would stay cooler, giving the coral that did survive a chance to recover. When the first event hit in 2016, up to 30 percent of the coral was killed, and when this was followed in 2017 by a second event that was driven by El Nino, a further 20 percent of the coral died. Most of this occurred in the north and center of the reef, but if the current predictions hold true, it could soon spread further south. However, all that is certain right now is that those who rely on the reef for jobs and tourism, as well as those who study the coral, will be holding their breath over the coming months and hoping for the best.

A recent report has revealed that experts have discovered an ancient hole in the Great Barrier Reef that could give some exciting information. In the recent past, several studies had showed that the world's largest coral reef system is severely damaged and is almost on the verge of dying. In fact, a leading environmentalist/writer Rowan Jacobsen also claimed that the reef in Australia passed away in 2016.

Even though a diver discovered a great thing that will lighten up the nature lovers in the world. Samhati Battacharjya in his article say ‘this latest discovery of marine biologist Johnny Gaskell can change the concept. Gaskell discovered a giant blue hole in the famous reef. When he dived 65 feet down into the hole, he found out stunning healthy coral colonies. This is surely a rare discovery, especially, when the environmentalists have said that one of the natural wonders of the world was severely damaged by the climate change and there were no possibilities of saving it any more."This Blue Hole has previously been described by geologists who suggested it could be even older than the famous Great Blue Hole, in Belize," Gaskell wrote on his Instagram post. He also shared a photo of the blue hole.’

THE DEAD CORAL REEFS PARTS