EAR - Human Impacts

Question 1

What are the major human impacts on the TRHS

Answer 1

• Logging (legal and Illegal)
• Land clearing - Plantation (palm oil mostly) farming
• Peat draining and increased fire activity
• Urban development
• Tourism (source of protection, minimal impact)
• Climate change
• Poaching

Question 2

What are the major human impacts on the GBR

Answer 2

• Global warming - Water temperatures have risen globally by 1 degree celsius since industrial activity
• Tourism - 5 million people visit the reef each year, Immediate damage around pontoons, Pontoons prevent sewerage contamination, littering, and illegal behaviours through monitoring, Tourist levy for the boat
• Mining - Bowen, Mackay, Rockhampton, many people are employed in mines, Coal mining is prioritised over the environment due to the people voting and their occupations
• Farming- Sugarcane and banana, Area clearing
• Fishing - High utility value
• Urban development - Increasing population growth in QLD cities, impacting the GBR