Coral reefs have been heavily affected by elevated sea-surface temperature (SST) and coral bleaching since the late 1980s; however, until recently coastal reefs of north-western Australia have been relatively unaffected compared to Timor Sea and eastern Australian reefs. We compare SST time series with changes in coral cover spanning a period of up to 36 years to describe temporal and spatial variability in bleaching and associated coral mortality throughout the Pilbara–Ningaloo region. Declines in coral cover ranged from 12.5 to 51.3%, with relative declines ranging from 38 to 92%. Since 2013, coral cover throughout the region has declined to historically low levels at four of five subregions, with impaired recovery occurring at two subregions. Observations are consistent with global trends of repeated severe heat waves, coral bleaching and acute declines in coral cover. Locations within this study region have already experienced multiple coral-bleaching events within a period of less than 5 years. There is a high likelihood that reefs in the western Pilbara and northern Ningaloo regions will experience more frequent marine heatwaves, coral bleaching and mortality events in the future. Action, therefore, needs to be taken now to support the resilience of coral reef ecosystems in the region, which is arguably the most important coral-reef province on Australia’s western coast.

中文翻译：

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澳大利亚西北部反复出现的珊瑚白化和相关的珊瑚覆盖率下降

自 1980 年代后期以来，珊瑚礁一直受到海面温度 (SST) 升高和珊瑚白化的严重影响；然而，直到最近，与帝汶海和澳大利亚东部的珊瑚礁相比，澳大利亚西北部的沿海珊瑚礁相对没有受到影响。我们将 SST 时间序列与长达 36 年的珊瑚覆盖变化进行比较，以描述整个皮尔巴拉-宁格鲁地区白化和相关珊瑚死亡率的时间和空间变化。珊瑚覆盖率下降幅度为 12.5% 至 51.3%，相对下降幅度为 38% 至 92%。自 2013 年以来，整个区域的珊瑚覆盖率在五个次区域中的四个下降至历史低位，其中两个次区域的恢复受损。观测结果与全球反复出现严重热浪的趋势一致，珊瑚白化和珊瑚覆盖率急剧下降。该研究区域内的地点在不到 5 年的时间内已经经历了多次珊瑚白化事件。皮尔巴拉西部和宁格鲁北部地区的珊瑚礁很可能在未来经历更频繁的海洋热浪、珊瑚白化和死亡事件。因此，现在需要采取行动来支持该地区珊瑚礁生态系统的恢复能力，该地区可以说是澳大利亚西海岸最重要的珊瑚礁省。未来的珊瑚白化和死亡事件。因此，现在需要采取行动来支持该地区珊瑚礁生态系统的复原力，该地区可以说是澳大利亚西海岸最重要的珊瑚礁省。未来的珊瑚白化和死亡事件。因此，现在需要采取行动来支持该地区珊瑚礁生态系统的恢复能力，该地区可以说是澳大利亚西海岸最重要的珊瑚礁省。