Effect of climate Change on the Great Barrier Reef (GBR)
Rising sea temperatures: Empirical evidence shows that the rising temperatures caused by climatic changes have a ripple impact on the GBR due to the interdependence between algae found on the coral reef tissue and sea animals that feed on it (GBR Marine Park Authority, 2011). More importantly, rising temperatures stress coral reefs because they are highly responsive to fluctuating temperatures; in particular, if sea temperatures remain higher than usual overtime due to climate change, algae that depend on corals for food may escape the tissue. The effect of algae leaving the tissue is manifested when the corals change color ...