Recurrent coral bleaching in north-western Australia and associated declines in coral cover

Coral reefs in north-western Australia, including the Ningaloo Coast and Pilbara regions, have experienced significant declines in coral cover due to recurrent marine heatwaves and bleaching events since 2013. Coral cover has dropped by up to 51.3% across subregions, with relative declines reaching 92%, marking historically low levels. The study, spanning up to 36 years, reveals that these reefs—previously less affected than other Australian regions—now face frequent bleaching events (occurring within five years) and impaired recovery. This aligns with global trends of acute coral decline driven by severe heatwaves. The research highlights the urgent need for resilience-building measures in one of Australia’s most critical coral-reef provinces, given the high likelihood of future marine heatwave intensification.

Babcock, R. C., Thomson, D. P., Haywood, M. D. E., Vanderklift, M. A., Pillans, R., Rochester, W. A., Miller, M., Speed, C. W., Shedrawi, G., Field, S., Evans, R., Stoddart, J., Hurley, T. J., Thompson, A., Gilmour, J., & Depczynski, M. (2020). Recurrent coral bleaching in north-western Australia and associated declines in coral cover. Marine and Freshwater Research, 72(5), 620–632. https://doi.org/10.1071/mf19378