Expert links corals to clouds
A researcher says he has found proof that corals help to form clouds.
Southern Cross University Associate Professor Graham Jones says algae living on corals release a gas called dimethyl sulphide.
He has found water particles condense around the gas particles, forming clouds.
Associate Professor Jones says the clouds help to keep water temperatures on the Great Barrier Reef low and also explain the vegetation along the coastline.
"All those clouds obviously migrate, are transported across the ocean, they pick up water vapour and if you look at the coast, then the area they go to is of course the north Queensland rainforest," he said.
"So we don't think it's a coincidence that we have abundant rainforests up there adjacent to the reefs."