Early Warning Systems for Coral Bleaching

The AIMS Great Barrier Reef Ocean Observing System monitors daily temperatures at a variety of locations. AIMS scientists track temperatures against the mean and the number of days the temperature has risen above the bleaching threshold. If a bleaching event is predicted, AIMS informs the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority who initiate their Coral Bleaching Response Plan. Monitoring teams are assembled to assess the extent of the bleaching, steps are taken to alleviate additional stresses on the reef, such as reducing sources of pollution from land runoff, and a public communication strategy is implemented.

New AIMS research will focus on developing a pre-season forecast of coral bleaching for the Great Barrier Reef. By monitoring the up-welling of cold water intrusions, scientists hope to identify indicators in ocean currents that are trigger points for changed weather patterns, which in turn cause coral bleaching.

Associated Links
A Reef Managers Guide to Coral Bleaching
ICRI Decision on Coral Bleaching and Marine Protected Areas