Great Barrier Reef Research Paper

The 2014 Great Barrier Reef outlook report identifies ports as a moderate to major threat to the Great Barrier Reef, and outlines the impacts port activity has, including dredging and dumping of waste, increased risk of oil and chemical spills, and diminished aesthetic values. It also links problems with ports with shipping issues impacting the reef.

Australia is in debt to The Great Barrier Reef as it has brought economic and environmental stability not just to Australia, but the World, from a business and ethical standpoint everyone must put an end in this growing issue.

The Great Barrier Reef is known as one of the Seven Wonders of the World. It is believed to be one of the most incredible places on this earth. This reef is the largest living organism on this planet and the only living thing on earth visible from space (2011). The warm waters of the southwest Pacific Ocean are the perfect environments to create the world's largest system of coral reefs. The Great Barrier Reef is in such pristine condition that it was listed by the World Heritage Trust as a protected site and is therefore, managed by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority to ensure that its beauty is maintained for many travelers and sightseers (Edgar 2010). Due to the complexity of this natural phenomenon, human practices have led

Tourism in Australia has evolved over the years and continues to increase to this day, however it is the effects that tourists have the ability to place on the Southern Great Barrier Reef which are potentially threatening for, not only the reef of lady Elliot Island, however, the corals surrounding it. “International visitations within Australia alone reached 3.9 million visitors within the first 7 months of 2014, which was an increase of approximately 9.5%, a number which continues to rise” (Tourism Australia, 2015). However, with this increasing number, comes possible damaging effects to the surrounding reefs of Lady Elliot Island, possibly leading to the excessive damage of corals due to activities and infrastructure requirements

Because the GBR is such a highly visited tourist attraction for snorkeling and diving, there has been a large number of human structures that have been built in natural areas. Every five years, the Australian government publishes an Outlook Report that examines the Great Barrier Reef’s health, pressures, and likely future. “The report is required under Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 (section 54) and aims to provide a regular and reliable means of assessing reef health and management in an accountable and transparent way.” The report shows the actions that have been taken since 2009, including the focus on improving the quality of water that runs off the land. The increased freshwater run-off is in direct relation to the coastal development that has occurred since the major bleaching events have begun. The report released in 2009, states that the greatest risks to the Reef are still climate change, land-based runoff, coastal development, and some remaining impacts of fishing and illegal fishing and poaching. The report points out climate change as being the main cause of the destruction or bleaching of the reef (Department of Environment and Energy 2017). Most observers conclude that the climate change is a direct result of human

The Great Barrier Reef may contain over 134,286 square miles of marine wildlife, but its secondary purpose is to protect Australia from the killer cyclones that try to invade the country. According to Alison Jones and Ray Berkelmans,

The Great Barrier Reef is one of the most complex natural ecosystems and was listed on the World Heritage List in 1981. It has a large biodiversity with a great variety of habitats and threatened species including over 400 species of corals, 4,000 species of molluscs, over 1,500 species of fish and a huge diversity of sponges, marine worms, anemones and crustaceans.

Economic development is mostly compatible with maintaining the long-term biodiversity and ecosystem functions of the Great Barrier Reef as shown by its economic contribution. In north-east Queensland

Coral reefs around the world are in danger. One of the causes is global warming, which has been increasing the temperature of the ocean water resulting in coral bleaching. This essay will focus on damage occurring to the Great Barrier Reef.

Looking at the aspects mentioned above, which threaten and harm the Great Barrier Reef every day, it becomes clear that it needs special protection. The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority ( GBRMPA ) is an governmental organization that fulfills the tasks of managing the big reef, informing tourists about the reef and rules, verifying the stock of native animals and of course controlling the health of the sensitive coral reefs by checking them frequently.

The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef system. It stretches to 2300km which means it can be seen from outer space. It provides a home for a huge number of plants and animals. Some of these include turtles, crocodiles and algae. The Great Barrier Reef is made up of 2900 reefs and 900 islands.

Known as ‘the largest living organism’, the Great Barrier Reef is an aspect of the world that has constantly left people in wonder. Being the biggest reef in the world, however, has not prevented a coral cover reduction of 80 percent (Bridge, Beaman, Done, & Webster, 2012). This ecosystem has been constantly overlooked and is now facing changes that are leading to the destruction of this unique environment. The Great Barrier Reef faces the challenges of climate change, invasive species, and human influence on a daily basis which has led to considerable damage to the world’s largest coral reef.

Around 100 countries benefit from tourism associated with coral-reefs, and 23 of these, reef-related tourism accounts for 15% of GDP (Burke, 2011). The Great-Barrier Reef Marine attracts 1.9 million visits each year, generating AUD $5.4 billion in tourist revenues and 60,000 jobs (Deloitte-Access-Economics, 2013). However, the GB Reef has experienced a loss of 50.7% of coral cover since 1985, and a 21% decrease in the calcification rate (De’ath, 2012). Such loss of coral is likely to make reef-orientated destinations less attractive to tourism, leading to reductions in profits for businesses, and employment for people in the sector (Hoegh-Guldberg,

There are some natural threats to the Great Barrier Reef. Coral bleaching is one natural threat to the Great Barrier Reef. This happens when the temperature of the water increases. Because of the increase in the temperature of the water the algae are killed. This can lead to discoloration of the reef. Another natural threat to the reef is the crown of thorns starfish. The crown of thorns starfish kills corals by sticking onto it and releasing neurotoxins onto the coral.

Have you ever heard of The Great Barrier Reef? The Great barrier reef is the biggest, most populated and oldest reef in the world. But today it is endanger and people hope it is healthy soon or the population off mammals in the water will drop.