Hard coral cover shows modest gains in northern and central Great Barrier Reef
Surveys by the Australian Institute of Marine Science indicate a slight rise in hard coral cover in the reef's northern and central zones, with a modest decline in the south.
Recent monitoring by the Australian Institute of Marine Science revealed that hard coral cover has increased in the northern and central sections of the Great Barrier Reef, while the southern region experienced a small drop. Scientists attribute the improvement to recent monsoon activity, which helped alleviate stress after the severe bleaching event of 2024. They caution that past El Niño cycles have repeatedly triggered heat stress, making it premature to predict the long-term outlook for the reef this season.
Why it matters
The reef's health impacts biodiversity, tourism and coastal protection for Australia.
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