Great Barrier Reef - 893 Words

The Great Barrier Reef a World Heritage listed, it is the vastest stretch of coral reef in the world. This essay will provide information on how the Great Barrier Reef is being protected against global warming for our future generations. We all love going to the beach for a swim or a snorkel however a different image was created by an article published by the Australian Academy of Science on their web site Nova Science in the News (2009): â€Å"Imagine you are on a beautiful tropical island on the Great Barrier Reef. You put on your mask, fins and snorkel and jump into the water. But instead of the famous brightly coloured coral, brittle white branches spread as far as the eye can see. The coral is dead.† This image is taking place more†¦show more content†¦AUSTRALIAN Government also signed the Kyoto Protocol, which is an international agreement linked to a legal framework to achieve specified reductions in global greenhouse gas emissions (SCIGL 2004) .Kyoto Pro tocol has set the Australian target to 108 per cent of 1990 levels over the period of 2008 – 2012, however the Australian Government have only voluntarily complied with this law. Therefore we all need to live a minimum carbon footprint on our Reefs. The Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area (GBRWHA) is under the management of GBRMPA which was established in 1975 and its function is the overall management of the reef. The GBRMPA have implemented the Bleach Watch, which is a community monitoring network that detects any report reef conditions. It requires a wide network and this is where regular people have volunteered to monitor and report reef conditions. The reef also caters for 2.4 million tourists yearly which take part in the Reef Health Impact Survey this being another way of monitoring the reef. (Response Plan). Protection of our reef is very important, as it is one of the most diverse and biologically complex marine ecosystems in the world. (barrierreef.org). It nourishes 10% of the world fish species , provides $5.8 million annual economy and jobs in Australia. The GBRMPAShow MoreRelatedEssay on The Great Barrier Reef1258 Words   |  6 PagesThe Great Barrier Reef is one of the wonders of the natural world. It wa s declared a World Heritage area in 1981 and added to the National Heritage List in 2007. Unfortunately, the Great Barrier Reef faces many threats. Pollution caused by direct or indirect human activities are major threats to Australian reefs. (source 1). Two million tourists visit the coral reef every year. This is great for the economy; however it can have huge negative impacts on the coral reef. The tourists are carriedRead MoreThe Great Barrier Reef ( Gbr )1573 Words   |  7 PagesThe Great Barrier Reef (GBR) is located off the coast Queensland, Australia and stretches over 1800 miles. The reef is home to around 1500 species of tropical fish, and over 400 kinds of coral. This is a species diversity playground for many biologists. There is also a major concern that is upon the reef. Climate change is a main concern throughout the world. When referring to climate change people think of a change in climate patterns that can not be reversed once started. The Great Barrier ReefRead MoreAustralia: The Great Barrier Reef Essay2390 Words   |  10 PagesAustralia is known for its beautiful beaches and marvellous man made creations. The Great Barrier Reef, off the East Coast of Australia, is one of the wonders of the natural earth - it is the worlds largest coral reef ecosystem, Australian Government. In 1981, The Great Barrier Reef was acknowledged as a World Heritage area and in 2007 it was added to the National Heritage List ( refer to images two and six). The reef is not only beneficial for Australias growing tourism market but it also providesRead MoreThe Greatest Significance Of The Great Barrier Reef1605 Words   |  7 PagesThe Great Barrier Reef is one of the seven wonders of the world. It extends more than 1,300 miles through the coral sea off northeastern Australia and it is even visible from outer space. It is also home to more than 400 types of coral and 1,500 species such as the tropical fish, birds, dolphins, and reptiles. The reef is not only home to the coral but it is also breeding ground for humpback whales and a habitat for endangered species. The Great Barrier Reef was listed as a protected site by theRead MoreClimate Change And The Great Barrier Reef2273 Words   |  10 PagesChange and the Great Barrier Reef The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef system. It is located in Queensland and stretches 2,300 km along the coast, covering 348,000 km2. The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority was established in 1975 in order to sustainably manage the natural heritage for future generations. 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 ofRead More Shipping and the Great Barrier Reef Essay4636 Words   |  19 PagesShipping and the Great Barrier Reef Australia’s Great Barrier Reef (GBR) is an unparalleled marine ecosystem that holds rank as one of the world’s most valuable natural wonders. The abundance of sea life offers both intrinsic and physical benefits, but unfortunately this extraordinary habitat is now threatened from several different angles. One of the greatest threats to the GBR is the presence of popular shipping routes which surround and penetrate the reef. These ships naturally polluteRead MoreThe Great Barrier Reef ( Environmental Lens )1401 Words   |  6 PagesGreat Barrier Reef (Environmental Lens) The Great Barrier Reef is a vast organic structure that has existed longer than man. It has always been present underneath the water surface near the coast of Australia, harboring many different types of sea creatures. Over the past few decades, the reef has slowly been dying. Humans have been negatively affecting it for a while now, although they may not have known it at that time. We, as humans, have the duty to correct our mistake and take responsibilityRead More Great Barrier Reef Essay example1549 Words   |  7 Pages 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 worlds largest system of coral reefs. The Great Barrier Reef is in such pristine condition that it was listed by th e World Heritage Trust as a protectedRead MoreHuman Ignorance : The Great Barrier Reef2286 Words   |  10 PagesAustralia is a cluster of reefs known as the Great Barrier Reef, the most diverse underwater phenomenon in our world. This natural wonder is not being cared for and everyone needs to take responsibility for what is happening to this reef, especially in adjacent locations and help in as many ways as possible. The Australian Government is responsible for the protection of the natural resources within their country. They need to act as the main spokesperson for the Great Barrier Reef. The government needsRead More Protecting the Great Barrier Reef Dugong Essay3750 Words   |  15 Pagesseagrasses that form meadows in coastal waters. As dugongs feed, whole plants are uprooted and a telltale feeding trail is left behind. These feeding scars in the seagrass can be easily seen by people walking over the seagrass areas at low tide (Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority [GBRM PA]). The dugong feeds almost exclusively on a number of genera of seagrasses, especially the marine vascular grasses Halodule and Halophilia. These grasses are low in fiber, high in available nitrogen (Halodule) and