Case study 24: Great Barrier Reef in Australia

Question 1

Why does the Great Barrier Reef exist on Queenland’s coast, to the North-east Australia?

Answer 1

Pacific shores: water temperatures above 20C.
Shallow areas: Coral Sea in the Australian coast.
Clear water. allows sunlight to pass through.
Polyps (tiny animals) attach themselves to hard surfaces, then die and build up to create the Great Barrier Reef.

Question 2

What are the opportunities that the Great Barrier Reef present?

Answer 2

Largest reef in the world.
One of the most biologically diverse ecosystem.
Tourism: Deloitte Access Economics stated that the reef contributes A$ 6.4 billion per year and values it on about A$ 56 billion.

Question 3

What are the threats to the Great Barrier Reef?

Answer 3

Global warming: increases ocean temperatures and leads to bleaching.
Overfishing: disrupts natural food chains.
Tourists: disrupt ecosystem + may take parts of the reef.
Water pollution: Due to agricultural run-off in North east Australia and oil from ships in the Coral Sea.

Question 4

How are the threats to the Great Barrier Reef being managed?

Answer 4

Great Barrier Reef declared marine park.
GBRMPA: Great Barrie Reef Marine Park Authority:
- protects the ecosystem
- Gives permits for fishing and diving and has boats patrols.
- Fines up to US$ 1 million on companies that pollute the ecosystem.