Abstract
Coral Reefs make up the largest biological structure on Earth. Diverse and complex organisms occupying the reef provide shelter and shoreline protection, while also modulating benthic abundance and diversity. Corals also affect human life (e.g., through fisheries, medicine, and tourism) and indicate environmental distress. As global warming intensifies, coral reefs are experiencing severe bleaching events. Bleaching events kill the coral, creating an inhospitable environment. To link patterns of ocean heating to coral bleaching events on Heron Island, I asked three questions: First, is the temperature of the ocean influenced by water depth and air temperature? Second, is there a difference in the associated benthic communities between live and dead corals? Third, is there a difference in the health of Acropora corals in exposed versus the protected areas? First, I measured the water depth, water temperature, and air temperature at three locations every hour for 12 hours. Secondly, I recorded species abundance and richness for 21 dead and 21 live corals located at these three sites, making note of mean algal coverage. Lastly, I evaluated the health of the corals, using the CoralWatch Chart, both far and close to the shoreline at exposed and sheltered beaches. Air temperature had a strong positive correlation with ocean temperature, with ocean depth not having a significant correlation. Also, there were significantly higher levels of species richness and abundance on live corals than on dead corals, and greater algal coverage on dead corals. Lastly, corals located farther from the shoreline at both locations had better health ratings than those located closer to the shoreline. The data collected from Heron Island provides support for my hypothesis that global warming is linked to coral bleaching events and threatens the ecosystems that rely on coral reefs. It calls attention to the need for more protection for coral reefs and a reduction in global warming to lessen the threat to oceanic life.
Advisor
Lynn, Sharon
Department
Biology
Recommended Citation
Magyar, Katy, "Linking Patterns of the Ocean to Coral Bleaching Events on The Great Barrier Reef: The Role of Flow and Temperature Variability in Shaping Benthic Communities on Bleached and Healthy Acropora Reefs" (2026). Senior Independent Study Theses. Paper 13565.
https://openworks.wooster.edu/independentstudy/13565
Disciplines
Biodiversity | Biology | Marine Biology | Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology
Keywords
corals, reefs, benthos
Publication Date
2026
Degree Granted
Bachelor of Arts
Document Type
Senior Independent Study Thesis
© Copyright 2026 Katy Magyar