Recent monitoring by Professor Thomas Wernberg and his team in Jurien Bay has revealed concerning signs of stress in kelp forests as marine heatwave conditions develop along the Western Australian coast.
Long-term temperature loggers, which have been recording hourly bottom temperatures since 2006, recently detected sustained temperatures exceeding 25°C, peaking at 26.2°C—second only to the extreme 2011 marine heatwave.
Typically seen later in the season or in more sheltered areas, the early appearance of excessive epiphyte growth signals that the ecosystem is under strain.
While the full impact remains uncertain, scientists are closely tracking conditions as warm waters continue to move south. With surveys already completed across multiple reef sites, the team is well-placed to detect shifts in seaweed, invertebrate, and fish communities as this marine heatwave unfolds.
News Source: Great Southern Reef Foundation