Can the Great Barrier reef be managed sustainably? Flashcards
why are coral reefs important
- provide habitats
- used for tourism
- food supply
- research e.g. medicine and science
how many separate types of coral in the reef?
2,900
supports how many types of fish?
1500
what year designated a world heritage site?
1981
what year did it become a marine park?
1975
attracts how many tourists a year?
2 million and 5 million recreational users
provides how many jobs?
54,000
zoning techniques used
- 7 zones: General Use zone, Preservation zone and Buffer zone etc.
- most activities allowed in general zone e.g. boating, fishing etc
- Blue Pearl Bay, overcrowding is prevented by limiting boat size to 35m and group size to 40
preventing access
- $4.50 to enter reef
- no fishing allowed in marine park zone…other zones require a permit
planning controls
-environmental assessments for prospective developments
conservation techniques
-penalties imposed on those who break regulations
COTS (crown of thorns starfish)
- kills coral
- increase in starfish population may be result of overfishing of starfish predators
- eutrophication could also be responsible for increasing microalgae which may benefit starfish larvae
coral bleeching
- occurs when zooanthellae (algae) which lives within the polyp and carry out photosynthesis are expelled, causing the coral to dies.
- could be due to global warming
land cleared for sugar cane plantations
resulted in sediment entering the sea which has affected the coral.
reduces light levels affecting photosynthesis
agricultural runoff
- causes eutrophication which has damaged seagrass communities
- targets to limit pollution from 26 river catchments
- sewage is regulated and recycling practices are increasing
