Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef is a site of remarkable variety and beauty on the north-east coast of Australia. It contains the world’s largest collection of coral reefs, with 400 types of coral, 1,500 species of fish and 4,000 types of mollusc. It also holds great scientific interest as the habitat of species such as the dugong (‘sea cow’) and the large green turtle, which are threatened with extinction.

Great Barrier Reef Facts

Fact: The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest reef system
Fact: The Great Barrier Reef is composed of over 2,900 individual reef
Fact: The Great Barrier Reef has over 900 islands stretching for over 2,600 kilometres
Fact: The Great Barrier Reef can be seen from outer space
Fact: Tourism to the reef generates approximately AU$ 4-5 billion per year
Fact: Thirty species of whales, dolphins, and porpoises have been recorded in the Great Barrier Reef
Fact: Six species of sea turtles come to the reef to breed
Fact: 215 species of birds (including 22 species of seabirds and 32 species of shorebirds) visit the reef or nest or roost on the islands
Fact: Seventeen species of sea snake live on the Great Barrier Reef
Fact: More than 1,500 fish species live on the reef
Fact: There are at least 330 species of ascidians on the reef system

Great Barrier Reef Threats

Polluted Water:
Due to industrialization and many such activities carried out by humans, the ocean waters all over the world are facing the consequences of pollution. There are many issues that affect the quality of the water, which in turn affects the living organisms, and everything connected with the Great Barrier Reef. Therefore, pollution is considered to be one of the largest threats to the Great Barrier Reef. This has propelled around 300 reefs in the danger zone simply because of poor water quality. Industrial wastes add to the worsened scenario. Polluted water creates various infections amongst the corals. Industrial pollutants such as copper have been proven to interfere with the growth and development of the coral polyps, which are so important for the Great Barrier Reef.

Climatic Conditions and Global Warming:
The effects of global warming and the varied changes in the climatic conditions can be witnessed by everybody today. As the temperatures keep soaring, the earth is getting warmer which affect many species in many ways. A rise in the temperature is known to affect the coral reefs. This results in coral bleaching every year. For example, a particular species of fish may prefer to move to other areas in search of a suitable climate. This would cause a major change in the ecosystem and the existence of the organisms associated with the Great Barrier Reef. Habitat changes cause many organisms to move to other areas, which creates a complete disproportion of living organisms required for the proper sustenance of the Great Barrier Reef.

Great Barrier Reef Pictures Gallery and Wallpapers:

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