Sediment smothers corals and reduces the amount of light reaching seagrasses and other plants, affecting their growth and survival as well as the survival of the marine animals that depend on them for food and shelter. Bleaching occurs when corals are stressed, in this case from overheating.Įxcess nutrients, fine sediments and pesticides from agricultural run-off and other industries pose the biggest risk to reef water quality. Over the past two decades, the Great Barrier Reef has experienced several mass coral bleaching events. Reef health (coral, seagrass and marine life) has been declining due to poor water quality and the cumulative impacts of climate change, including warmer weather leading to coral bleaching and increased severe weather events, such as cyclones.
poor water quality from land-based run-off.The other main threats to the Reef include: The greatest threat to the Reef is climate change. The Great Barrier Reef is under pressure from multiple, cumulative threats. Historically, the Great Barrier Reef supports around 60,000 jobs and contributes approximately $6 billion to the Australian and Queensland economies. This includes a connection to and caretaking responsibilities for clan group totems (natural objects, plants or animals inherited as spiritual emblems). More than 70 Traditional Owner groups have long, continuing relationships with the Reef and its catchment, stretching back over 60,000 years.įor Traditional Owners, its value is immeasurable and intertwined with identity, self and culture. The Reef is of special significance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait people, who continue to care for their sea country and benefit from use of its resources and places of cultural significance. The Great Barrier Reef stretches more than 2300 kilometres along Queensland’s coastline and is made up of around 3000 individual coral reefs. more than 30 species of marine mammals such as whales, dugong and dolphins.
Larger than New Zealand (344,400 square kilometres or 70 million football fields), it is home to a breathtaking array of life including a number of rare and threatened species as well as: World heritage listed in 1981, the Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest and most complex reef system and one of Australia’s most treasured natural wonders. Image courtesy of Tourism and Events Queensland
0 kommentar(er)
