Lizard Island on Australia's Great Barrier Reef faces alarming coral loss following 2024 bleaching
Researchers used drone imagery to assess the Fourth Global Coral Bleaching Event in 2024 at Lizard Island, where 96 per cent of corals were bleached and mortality averaged 92 per cent, with some sites losing over 99 per cent of corals, according to a statement released recently by Australia's Griffith University.
"This marks one of the highest coral mortality rates ever documented globally," said the study's lead researcher Vincent Raoult from Griffith University's School of Environment. Raoult described the mortality as "unprecedented," especially given that Lizard Island experienced less heat stress than other parts of the Great Barrier Reef.
Drone technology enabled precise mapping of the widespread bleaching, said Jane Williamson from the Macquarie University in Sydney, also the study's senior author, who stressed the urgent need for climate action, warning that repeated heatwaves could irreversibly damage coral reefs, Xinhua news agency reported.
Lizard Island's reefs remain fragile after years of repeated damage, such as bleaching, cyclones, and Crown-of-Thorns outbreaks, and scientists will monitor them through 2026 for signs of recovery, according to the study published in Coral Reefs, the journal of the International Coral Reef Society.
"Prolonged heat stress throughout the Far Northern and Northern regions of the reef caused widespread bleaching," said the reef snapshot published by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, Australian Institute of Marine Science and Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, earlier in April.
Coral bleaching is a phenomenon that occurs when coral experiencing heat stress expel the symbiotic algae living in their tissue and turn completely white. Bleaching is not fatal in itself but bleached coral are more likely to starve and can take a decade or longer to recover.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
3 days ago
- News18
Karnataka cabinet approves space tech centre, key health projects
Bengaluru, July 24 (PTI) Karnataka Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil on Thursday announced that the state cabinet has approved several key initiatives, including the setting up of a Centre of Excellence (CoE) in space technology and the launch of the Local Economy Accelerator Programme (LEAP). The proposed SpaceTech CoE will be established as a Section 8 company under the Companies Act, 2013, with a total allocation of Rs 10 crore over five years. 'The Satellite Communication Industry Association (SIA-India) has been selected as the industry partner. The project has been granted exemption under Section 4(g) of the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurements Act, 1999," the Minister briefed reporters after the cabinet meeting. The initiative aims to address the shortage of testing infrastructure in the space sector, as facilities operated by ISRO, DRDO, and other government agencies are currently at capacity and focused on their own missions. With around 30 working prototypes emerging from the state's startup ecosystem each month, the demand for independent testing is growing, he noted. The cabinet also approved the launch of the Local Economy Accelerator Programme (LEAP) with a total budget allocation of Rs 1,000 crore over five years. In the first year, Rs 200 crore will be allocated for implementation. The cabinet also approved amendments to the Karnataka Global Capability Centre (GCC) Policy 2024-29 to improve clarity and consistency in the policy language and structure without altering its core provisions or objectives, he added. Approval was given for establishment of a Kidwai Peripheral Cancer Treatment Unit at an estimated cost of Rs 50 crore comprising Rs 20 crore for civil works and Rs 30 crore for equipment purchase within the premises of Rajiv Gandhi Super Speciality Hospital in Raichur. An additional Rs 62 crore was sanctioned for procuring medical equipment, furniture, and other apparatus for setting up a 450-bed hospital at the Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health in Bengaluru. A notification has been issued appointing the Revenue Minister as the chairperson of the seven boards and authorities. It has been now been decided to amend the Acts of the respective Boards/Authorities, the Minister said. The proposed amendment bills pertain to Kudalasangama Development Authority, Kaginele Development Authority, Basavakalyan Development Board, Banavasi Development Authority, Sarvajna Development Authority, Kittur Development Authority and Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Heritage Area Development Authority. Seeking to regulate private ambulance service providers and register mobile medical units as private medical establishments, and mandate permanent registration within 30 days, Karnataka Private Medical Establishments (Amendment) Bill, 2025, has also been proposed. The cabinet has given its nod to impose one per cent fire cess along with the property tax on newly constructed multi-storeyed buildings in the state to improve the efficiency of the fire department. PTI GMS GMS ROH view comments First Published: July 24, 2025, 18:15 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Deccan Herald
16-07-2025
- Deccan Herald
Karnataka govt signs MoU with IISc to curb human-elephant conflict
Karnataka Minister Eshwar Khandre on Tuesday said the state government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) to use modern technology for conserving elephant corridors and habitats, aiming to reduce rising human-elephant conflict and protect crops of farmers living near forest fringes. The Forest Department, in collaboration with the IISc, is set to implement a five-year collaborative project titled "Landscape-Level Management of the Asian Elephant in the Mysore Elephant Reserve." The Rs 4.74 crore project will be funded by the Forest Department and monitored through biannual review meetings, annual reports, and a real-time data dashboard. Speaking at the MoU signing event, Khandre said the human-elephant conflict is particularly severe in regions like Hassan and Kodagu, leading to frequent crop loss and even fatalities. The department is taking all possible measures to address the issue, he said, adding that the conflict is now spreading to other regions as well. The agreement aims to protect elephant corridors and habitats by integrating environmental research with on-ground implementation. Karnataka is home to 6,395 wild elephants, making it one of the most significant elephant ranges in Asia. The project will use modern technologies such as satellite telemetry, camera traps, and GIS models to identify key corridors and obstacles to elephant movement. It will also assess the physical and stress levels of elephants by analysing hormones in dung samples. Additionally, the project will study crop damage patterns, monitor elephants involved in conflict, and raise awareness among farmers. As part of the initiative, research will focus on developing early warning systems that alert communities when elephants approach human settlements. It will also explore sound-based deterrents to drive elephants away safely. Forest officials said researchers from the department and IISc will collect data on elephant behaviour and movement to identify active corridors and predict future conflict zones over the next decade. The project will be implemented across major forest divisions and protected areas under the Mysore Elephant Reserve, including tiger reserves, national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and adjoining agricultural zones. According to a statement from the Forest Department, the research will be conducted in collaboration with the Centre for Ecological Sciences (CES) at IISc, the Asian Nature Conservation Foundation, Foundation for Ecological Research, Advocacy and Learning (FERAL), and the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS). The project will also support the development of innovative tools such as soft-release protocols for relocated elephants, GPS-zap collars, buzzers, and community-supported fencing to manage displaced elephants, the statement added.
Hindustan Times
10-07-2025
- Hindustan Times
13,671 students appear for Pune ZP's space programme exam; 75 selected to visit ISRO, NASA
As many as 13,671 students took part in the written exam held on Saturday (July 5), organised by Pune Zilla Parishad (ZP) and the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA) as part of the Curious Rural Student Exposure Programme. (HT PHOTO) As part of the initiative, a three-stage process is being conducted to select 75 students from ZP schools who will have the opportunity to visit the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in Bengaluru and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in Washington, D.C. The first stage of the exam was conducted across 141 exam centres in Pune district. Out of 16,121 students who registered, 13,671 students appeared for the written test, officials said. 'The first stage of the exam was conducted offline in MCQ format. All students from Zilla Parishad schools in classes 6 and 7 are eligible to apply. The second test will be conducted in online mode on July 19, followed by personal interviews,' said Sameer Dhurde, scientific officer at IUCAA. A final interview round will then determine the 75 students, 50 of whom will visit ISRO, and 25 will be selected for an exposure visit to NASA. The initiative, which was formally launched on April 25 through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between IUCAA and Pune Zilla Parishad, aims to ignite scientific curiosity in rural children by giving them direct exposure to world-leading space agencies. A year-long enrichment programme featuring hands-on workshops, activities, science expert lectures, and guided tours to science centres is also part of the plan. 'This kind of global exposure is rare for rural students. We're proud to be offering them this opportunity,' said Gajanan Patil, chief executive officer (CEO) of Zilla Parishad Pune. Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, present at the MoU signing, had earlier praised the initiative saying 'Visits to ISRO and NASA will not only educate but also inspire our rural students to dream big.' The program focuses on bridging the gap between rural and urban access to advanced science education and promoting equal opportunities for scientific discovery.
