Title: Evaluating 38 years of coral coverage trends on the Great Barrier Reef: insights into resilience and temperature correlation

Authors: Alberto Boretti

Addresses: Wellington, New Zealand

Abstract: This study investigates the relationship between global warming and coral reef health, focusing on the Great Barrier Reef (GBR). Contrary to claims of widespread decline due to warming-induced bleaching, long-term data from the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) reveal that coral cover is at its highest since monitoring began in 1985. Using satellite air temperature data as a robust proxy for ocean warming, the analysis identifies no consistent correlation between rising temperatures and reduced coral cover. Coral bleaching is reframed as an adaptive response, with most corals demonstrating rapid recovery. These findings challenge prevailing narratives of coral fragility, emphasising the GBR's resilience and adaptive capacity in the face of climate change. The study advocates for balanced scientific discussions that incorporate both threats and recovery dynamics in coral ecosystems.

Keywords: Great Barrier Reef; GBR; global warming; coral bleaching.

DOI: 10.1504/IJGW.2025.147639

International Journal of Global Warming, 2025 Vol.36 No.4, pp.406 - 418

Received: 10 Sep 2024
Accepted: 21 Dec 2024
Published online: 24 Jul 2025 *

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