大堡礁在2025年经历了第六次珊瑚白化事件[1]，这一年也是1900年以来最热的12月[1]。春季期间的海洋热浪导致海面温度上升至多1.5°C[1]，随后在2026年初出现了区域性白化迹象。然而，一场及时到来的季风转变了局势。2026年3月初，季风带来的云、雨和风为礁体降温[1]，使珊瑚得以避免大规模白化的进一步恶化。
从2024年至2025年期间，大堡礁珊瑚覆盖率经历了四十年来最大的单年下降[1]。但在季风的帮助下，监测数据显示出积极信号：北部地区珊瑚覆盖率从30%上升至35.1%，中部地区则从28.6%上升至31.6%[1]。2026年1月至3月期间发生了两场热带气旋——Koji和Narelle[1]。尽管珊瑚覆盖率出现恢复，但礁体仍然面临海洋温度升高、皇冠海星爆发和热带气旋等多重压力[1]。澳大利亚海洋科学研究所进行了四十年的连续珊瑚礁监测[1]。
The Great Barrier Reef experienced its sixth mass coral bleaching event in 2025, though the severity was less extreme than the previous year's episode [1]. December 2025 marked the hottest month on record since 1900, with spring conditions triggering a marine heat wave that raised sea surface temperatures by up to 1.5°C [1]. The cumulative toll between 2024 and 2025 resulted in the largest single-year decline in coral cover in four decades [1].
However, a timely monsoon system arriving in early March 2026 brought clouds, rain, and wind that cooled reef temperatures and helped prevent widespread bleaching [1]. Monitoring data from the Australian Institute of Marine Science's four-decade continuous survey revealed recovery in the northern and central regions, where coral cover rose from 30% to 35.1% and from 28.6% to 31.6% respectively [1]. Despite this reprieve, corals continue to face multiple pressures including elevated ocean temperatures, crown-of-thorns starfish outbreaks, and tropical cyclones—two of which, Koji and Narelle, occurred between January and March 2026 [1].
