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Homework Help: Social Studies: Geography: Australia: The Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef is believed by scientists to have started to form over 60,000 years ago. Most of this reef has been turned into a marine wildlife park by the Australian government (EST 1975), which makes things like taking coral illegal. This marine landform is the biggest reef in the world, stretching out for more than 350 000 square kilometres. It has a length of over 200km long and 72km in width at its widest point. Between the 2800 reefs most of which are 40m below sea level, platform and patch, which are the two main categories with reefs. Ningaloo Reef is also one of the great reefs in Australia, only the Great Barrier Reef is largest, one of the reasons for the occurrence could be that coral needs to be in a tropical climate with relatively warm water at 20 degrees. There are 500 species of seaweed and 400 known species of coral. Polyps are small dead invertebrates; the reef consists of billions of them. They join together to make coral, sugar is what gives them colour, which comes from algae which gets it from the sunlight. Without algae polyps and coral would not survive, have no colour and die, often this is caused by the polyps rejecting the algae this is called white bleaching.
Great Barrier Reef Whereabouts
24 degrees 30N-10 degrees 41S, 145 degrees- 154 degrees east is the area that pinpoints parts of the reef. Over 1000 islands surround the reef, including the Whitsunday islands, which were all once part of the main land. As far as climatic regions go the reef is relatively tropical.
The Great Barrier Reef brings much tourism to Queensland. Many endangered species live on the reef such as, dugongs, sea turtles along with much other wildlife. It has one of the world’s biggest grazing grounds and population for dugongs. This also helps with research involving these animals and reasons for their decreasing population. Currents, time and the development of animals have helped the produce what we know as the Great Barrier Reef today. This reef has amazing biodiversity and is a great opportunity for scientific research, only scientists have predicted that in 2050 the best case scenario, 95% of the reef will be diminished.
There have been many companies wanting to scan the area for oil for future development, which has obviously been rejected because of the high possibility of global warming worsening in years to come which will make it hard to preserve the reef. Tourism has brought much money to Queensland and much tourism, but it is also the cause of the reefs slowly declining coral gardens which will also lead to decreasing population in marine life and other vegetation. In 1993 it was estimated that 2 291 000 tourists visited the reef, bringing in $ 1 billion Australian dollars per year. The degradation of the reef would also put a lot of people out of work, as tourism is a huge industry.
It is vital to educate people on the importance of looking after this rare marine wonder. Great care is taken when tourists go and see the reef so they do not destroy it. Tourism is increasing and is constantly monitored so that extra care can be taken and perhaps they can predict future tourism numbers. Conservation is the main priority because this is rare landmark, which should be conserved wisely.
It has taken scientists time to predict the affects of global warming, but know that this has been discovered, future efforts and adjustments can be made in order to preserve this distinctive Australian landmark for future generations. Hopefully future discoveries and research will help determine what will be left of the reef. Already precautions and rules are in place in order to slow down the process, so it may be there for a while to come.
Homework Help: Social Studies: Geography: Australia
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