Climate change is responsible for half of the Great Barrier Reef being lost, study warns - Fox News

Australia's Great Barrier Reef has been severely damaged over the years, as widespread bleaching caused by rising temperatures and climate change negatively impact the structure.

The Great Barrier Reef has lost half its corals in the past three decades.

GREAT BARRIER REEF SEES MOST WIDESPREAD BLEACHING EVER RECORDED, SCIENTISTS SAY.

"We found the number of small, medium and large corals on the Great Barrier Reef has declined by more than 50% since the 1990s," study co-author Terry Hughes added.

In April, a separate group of researchers said the reef suffered its most widespread bleaching ever recorded.

Coral reefs, and in particular, the Great Barrier Reef, are home to a diverse number of species and are considered some of the most vibrant ecosystems anywhere on Earth. .

According to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, the Great Barrier Reef makes up about 10 percent of the world's coral reef ecosystems.

"We used to think the Great Barrier Reef is protected by its sheer size – but our results show that even the world's largest and relatively well-protected reef system is increasingly compromised and in decline," Hughes said