The Great Barrier Reef, considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World, has been declared dead. The UNESCO site, which runs more than 2500 kilometres off the north-west coast of Queensland and contains 1625 species of fish, 3000 mollusks and 30 different species of whales and dolphins, is bleaching, scientists have concluded in a major study.
Coral bleaching occurs gradually due to unusual increases in ocean temperatures. When corals are exposed to high temperatures, they lose the algae that provide them with oxygen and nutrients. As a result, the polyp leaves turn white and become unsuitable as a habitat for marine life, including the world's largest populations of dugongs and green turtles.
Today, the reef is not actually completely destroyed, but it is experiencing serious problems with coral bleaching as a result of global warming. It is now struggling to regenerate itself. Scientists are hopeful that all is not lost, as the Great Barrier Reef was the world's largest living structure and the only one visible from space.
