GBR coral Acroporidae is most vulnerable
THE Great Barrier Reef's dominant coral species are among the most vulnerable to the effects of global warming, a new study has found.
A groundbreaking study into the immunity of coral species has found the iconic Acroporidae family to be among the most susceptible to outbreaks of disease or bleaching.
Acroporidae, also known as "reef building" coral for its role in the development of reefs, is among the most prevalent found in the Great Barrier Reef.
The branched structure and size of Acroporidae colonies makes it among the most recognisable coral species in the world.
The study by scientists from James Cook University and the Australian Research Centre ranked 17 coral species found on the reef according to their immunity.
It found species from the Acroporidae and Pocilloporidae families ranked at the bottom of the scale, putting them at the most risk of bleaching or disease.
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However, study leader Caroline Palmer said the Acroporidae corals were also among the fastest growing and most abundant species.
They were, therefore, the most likely to survive as a species, even if individual colonies die.
"When a mass bleaching event hits they are one of the most affected species of coral but they seem to be bouncing back in a lot of places," she said.
"They can reproduce faster so that when they are knocked back they can grow back a lot faster."
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