Satellite data shows warming of Great Barrier Reef

"Risk of coral bleaching increases with higher water temperatures. Across the whole reef we found water temperatures increasing by an average of 0.2 of a degree over a quarter of a century - but the increase was significantly more in some areas," says Ban.



"For example, off Rockhampton the water has warmed by about half a degree over the last 25 years," adds Ban, according to an ARC Centre statement.

The changes were also altering the seasonal patterns of water temperature at particular places along the reef, Ban says.