Coral disease and bleaching impacts on the central and northern Great Barrier Reef: Summer 2008/2009

Abstract

In the summer of 2008/09, the Great Barrier Reef was affected by high sea surface temperatures as well as high levels of rainfall and run-off. Following this high stress period, a series of surveys were undertaken to investigate the extent and severity of the stress effects on reefs in the central and northern sections of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. The survey results showed evidence of both coral disease and coral bleaching caused by these stressors.