The Great Barrier Reef is under threat from a range of pressures with a major one being deteriorating water quality due to pollution from adjacent land use. Diving and snorkelling are some of the best ways to take in the spectacular underwater views that the Great Barrier Reef has to offer, and to come face-to-face with its captivating marine life. Corals are the center of marine ecosystems as they provide food and shelter for animals as well as a source of income for Australia, in … When coral bleaching happens, the warmer temperature of the waters causes the coral to contract and expel the algae on their surface. It then goes on about the factors that contribute to the slow death of the reef and the human impact. It ranges between 60 and 250 kilometres in width and has an average depth of 35 metres in its inshore waters. Human impact on coral reefs is significant.Coral reefs are dying around the world. The Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest reef systems, stretching along the East coast of Australia from the northern tip down to the town of Bundaberg, is composed of roughly 2,900 individual reefs and 940 islands and cays that stretch for 2,300 kilometres (1,616 mi) and cover an area of approximately 344,400 square kilometres (133,000 sq mi). Bibliography "Great Barrier Reef Facts." "Great Barrier Reef: World Heritage in Danger?" The Great Barrier Reef stands as one of the most varied ecosystems in the world, serving as a natural environment for thousands of species of marine life. ; Rising sea surface temperatures over the past century have resulted in more frequent and prolonged global marine heatwaves. Researchers from ARC Center of Excellence for Coral Reef studies (Coral CoE) have reported that removing predatory fishes such as coral trout and snapper have brought many negative impacts to the reef’s fish populations. The Great Barrier Reef is in grave danger. New research shows that fishing is having a significant impact on the make-up of fish populations of the Great Barrier Reef. Coral Great Barrier Reef. This massive reef, visible from space encompasses over 100,000 square miles of the Coral Sea hosting an impressive group of 900 islands and almost 3000 individual reefs. This essay will provide information on how the Great Barrier Reef is being protected against global warming for our future generations. The Great Barrier Reef is in the Coral Sea, off the north-east coast of Australia. The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park was created in 1975 through the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act. Damaging activities include coral mining, pollution (organic and non-organic), overfishing, blast fishing, the digging of canals and access into islands and bays. The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority manages outbreaks of native, coral-eating crown-of-thorns starfish in the marine park. Coral reefs are the homes of some of the most diverse ecosystems and biologically productive habitats. Since corals are the main attractions to these national parks, their destruction will cause a significant decrease in the ecotourism in these areas. Web. The Great Barrier Reef is among the largest and most distinct wonders of the natural world. The Great Barrier Reef is known as the largest biological organism in the world. Web. Over fishing, pollution and global warming are the main reasons that the reefs … 26 May 2014. Handwerk, Brian. 05. To learn about the basic coral biology click here. KEY FINDINGS INCLUDE: Unprecedented bleaching events on the Great Barrier Reef in 2016 and 2017 have resulted in mass coral mortality. Dying Coral Reefs Impact Environment and Economy ... “The soft corals were just decomposing—animals literally dripping off the rocks,” says Vevers of his dive in the Great Barrier Reef. Lakbay Diva on June at . The human impact of tourism on reefs, ... 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