The Great Barrier Reef corals can be effectively protected by proactive, targeted, sustained management of the coral-eating Crown-of-Thorns starfish, per analysis, helping safeguard reefs as the climate changes

The Great Barrier Reef has experienced a significant decline in coral cover, with hard coral cover sitting near the long-term average in each region. Climate change-induced heat stress and cyclones have been major contributors to this decline, particularly among corals dominated by the Acropora species.

New research from Southern Cross University reveals previously undocumented variation in coral heat tolerance on the Great Barrier Reef. The study found that corals across the entire reef may hold genetic resources important for protection and restoration.

A recent study found that extreme ocean temperatures triggered a rare coral disease and mass mortality on the Great Barrier Reef. The study discovered that bleaching was followed by an unprecedented outbreak of black band disease, which killed massive Goniopora corals at One Tree Reef.

A review paper synthesizes nearly 20 years of research on the Great Barrier Reef's responses to sea-level shifts, finding five distinct reef phases that formed, drowned, and reformed over 30,000 years. The study highlights the reefs' dynamic nature and reveals they were shaped by multiple environmental pressures.

New research reveals significant transformations in Great Barrier Reef fish communities, with changes in species richness and composition driven by coral diversity rather than coral cover. The study's findings raise questions about the shifting latitudinal diversity gradient and its implications for ecosystem functioning.

A comprehensive survey of the Great Barrier Reef's microbiome reveals over 800,000 microbial genomes, identifying 500 new bacterial species and 300,000 distinct viruses. The study provides insights into the impact of human activities on the reef's health.