Australasian Science: Australia's authority on science since 1938
Deep Impact
A remote-operated vehicle explores the deep reef. © Catlin Seaview Survey
By Christopher Doyle
The shallow reefs of the Great Barrier Reef are under stress, with a recent report estimating that half of the coral cover has been lost within the past three decades. However, scientists are now discovering healthy coral communities lying in deeper waters adjacent to these disturbed areas. Could these deep reefs hold the key to the survival of the Great Barrier Reef?
Christopher Doyle is an environmental biologist and freelance writer based in Sydney.
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