Drone Technology Unveils Alarming 92% Coral Mortality at Lizard Island

Recent research has unveiled a staggering 92% mortality rate among coral populations following a significant bleaching event at Lizard Island, part of Australia's Great Barrier Reef, as reported on July 8, 2025. This event, part of the Fourth Global Coral Bleaching Event declared by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in April 2024, has triggered extensive ecological concerns, marking one of the most severe coral mortality rates ever documented globally.

The study, published in the journal *Coral Reefs*, utilized high-resolution drone imagery to assess the impact of the bleaching event. Professor Jane Williamson from the School of Natural Sciences at Macquarie University, the senior author of the study, explained, "Using drone-derived imagery, we followed the amount of bleached and living coral during and after the bleaching event." This innovative approach allowed researchers to analyze a larger area with high precision, overcoming the limitations of traditional underwater surveys that typically assess individual coral colonies.

The research team, led by Dr. Vincent Raoult from Griffith University’s School of Environment, collaborated with experts from Macquarie University, James Cook University, and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO). They systematically analyzed 20 sections of the reef, each measuring 10 meters by 10 meters, across both the northern and southern reefs of Lizard Island. The findings indicated that bleaching affected an average of 96% of living corals in the surveyed areas, demonstrating the extensive damage inflicted by the event.

The drones used in this study, including the DJI Mini 3 Pro and Autel Evo II, facilitated the collection of high-resolution images that were later verified through in-water observations in June 2024. The researchers highlighted the ongoing vulnerability of Lizard Island’s coral reefs, which have faced repeated disturbances over the past decade, including severe bleaching episodes in 2016 and 2017, cyclones, and outbreaks of the Crown-of-Thorns starfish.

"Despite some signs of recovery in recent years, the cumulative impact of these disturbances has significantly impaired the resilience of this ecosystem," stated Dr. Raoult. The implications of this research extend beyond ecological boundaries, raising urgent questions about the health of marine biodiversity and the potential socio-economic impacts on communities reliant on coral reef ecosystems.

As global temperatures continue to rise, the future of coral reefs remains precarious. The findings from this study serve as a critical reminder of the urgent need for effective marine conservation strategies as well as broader climate action initiatives. Experts emphasize that without immediate and concerted efforts to mitigate climate change, coral mortality rates are likely to escalate, further jeopardizing the rich biodiversity of the world's oceans.

In summary, the application of drone technology in marine research has provided unprecedented insights into the effects of climate change on coral reefs. The alarming coral mortality rates documented at Lizard Island underscore the necessity for urgent attention and action to safeguard these vital ecosystems for future generations.