Climate change disables coral bleaching protection on the Great Barrier Reef

Climate change is eroding the Great Barrier Reef's ability to protect itself from coral bleaching, according to a study tracking three decades of heat stress. Historically, corals acclimated to rising temperatures before hot seasons, building resilience against thermal stress. However, recent severe temperature increases have disabled this protective mechanism, leading to widespread bleaching and mortality, particularly during the 2016 El Niño event. Researchers analyzed long-term data to demonstrate how climate change is disrupting coral adaptation, threatening one of Earth's most iconic ecosystems.

Ainsworth, T. D., Heron, S. F., Ortiz, J. C., Mumby, P. J., Grech, A., Ogawa, D., Eakin, C. M., & Leggat, W. (2016). Climate change disables coral bleaching protection on the Great Barrier Reef. Science, 352(6283), 338–342. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aac7125