最近的研究發現，澳洲的大南礁受人為氣候變化導致的水溫升高所威脅，情況或比大堡礁更嚴重。科學家們研究了 1057 種珊瑚礁物種，包括魚類、珊瑚、海藻及無脊椎動物，發現當中有 57% 的物種數量出現下降。很多特有物種棲息於大南礁，如草海龍及粗體臂鉤躄魚，牠們的數量亦急促下降。
Recent study found the Great Southern Reef in Australia is suffering from warming water temperature caused by human-induced climate change, and the situation might be worse than the Great Barrier Reef. Scientists studied 1057 reef species including fish, corals, seaweeds and invertebrates and discovered 57% of them show population decline. There are many endemic species inhabit the Great Southern Reef like the weedy seadragon and spotted handfish, and they also experienced population declines.
