Threats of the Great barrier Reef

The ideal marine environment for coral is one, which has shallow, salty, moving water that is low in nutrients and has access to plenty of light. Coral is extremely sensitive to any changes in its marine environment and is not immune to the constant pressures it encounters. In 1981, this sensitivity called for the Reef to be added to the World Heritage Area’s list which ensures the protection of this natural phenomenon. Therefore, as a result of the natural and human-induced factors, the ideal environment for coral has been compromised and protection of the reef ecosystem is essential if the Great Barrier Reef is to survive.

In accordance with human-induced pressures, natural factors such as predators, cyclones and disease can also place immense stress on the fragile Great Barrier Reef. Predators such as the crown-of

In response to the scale of damage the Great Barrier Reef has endured, many research and conservationist groups have formed and dedicated themselves to improving its condition. The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) are the principal advisor to the Commonwealth Government on care and development of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. The GBRMPA was established as the formal management board to endorse the Great Barrier Marine Park Act 1975. The Authority aims to ‘…provide for the protection, wise use, understanding and enjoyment of the Great Barrier Reef in perpetuity through the care and development of the marine park…’ (GBRMPA, 1983/84: 7-8). In 25 years of extensive research, constant monitoring and strategic management, the Authority and its supporters have created public awareness of the need to implement local, regional and global initiatives if the ecological sustainability of the reef ecosystem is to be maintained.

Natural factors play a small role in the dilapidation of the Great Barrier Reef for it is the human existence which threatens this “rainforest of the sea” (McCoy, 2001). As a result, the Reef suffers from litter and fuel pollution, disturbance of fauna by reef walking, snorkelling, diving and anchors, and the decrease of various species from over-fishing. However, the most critical concern is the deterioration of water quality in the past 75 years. Both marine and land-base activities contribute to the increasing levels of nutrients and sediment in the reef ecosystem. Insensitive land development plays a major role in providing nutrient run-off from both urban and rural areas, into the Barrier Reef. Sugar cane farming and cattle grazing can often use pesticides, fertilisers and many other chemicals, which infiltrate the sea during heavy rainfall periods. Furthermore, domestic sewage waste is discharged into the ocean, containing substantial amounts of damaging nutrients. However, local policies have been implemented which ensures solids from sewage is removed and the remaining substance is chlorinated. Nutrients are produced for terrestrial purposes and therefore only disrupt the natural marine processes, often leaving irreversible damage.

-thorns starfish often have outbreaks and destroy up to 95%

Some topics in this essay:
Barrier Reef, Reef Sugar, Reef Predators, Protection Act, Reef Lagoon, Response Strategy’, Heritage Area’s, barrier reef, Park Authority, , Park Act, local regional, reef ecosystem, marine park, global warming, crown-of-thorns starfish, marine environment, regional global, local regional global, reef marine park, reef marine, marine park authority, reef suffers, regional global threats, barrier reef marine,