Australia and the Great Barrier Reef

In addition, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) (2008, p. 6) states that accelerated coastal development places significant pressure on local government infrastructure in most places of the Great Barrier Reef catchment area. Furthermore, water temperature, salinity, nutrient and suspended sediment concentrations as well as pesticides, are just a few variables that factor in the water quality and ecosystem health of the Great Barrier Reef (GBRMPA 2008, p. 7). Additionally, the reef is threatened by diffuse pollution from agriculture, delivered by catchments that discharge their pollutants into the GBR lagoon; in the same way, the many in-shore reefs of the GBR are affected greatly by agricultural practises, experiencing poor reef condition in correlation to the poor water quality of the area (Butler 2013, p.2). Lastly, the natural ecosystems of the world have limited capability to adapt to climate change; for instance, the GBR coastal zone shows a high vulnerability to climate changes with loss of critical habitat and hydrological changes (GBRMPA 2008, p. 10). Consequently, the effects of tourism, coastal development, diffuse pollution and climate change on the Great Barrier Reef are significant in both importance and consequence.
             The Great Barrier Reef has been victim to many significant problems, including rapid coastal development, diffuse pollution, decreasing water quality and climate change, among others; however, there are solutions and plans in place to combat these problems. The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (2008, p. 4) claims that the Water Quality Improvement Plan has incorporated water quality guidelines which set appropriate values and water quality objectives in regards to the health of the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) and will play a critical role in protecting marine ecosystem health from coastal development. This water quality plan hopes to monitor current conditions against the guidelines and assist in the development of trigger values to help manage actions if guidelines are exceeded (GBRMPA 2008, p.