GBR Threats Flashcards
1
Q
Climate Change
A
- temp rising in land + oceans due to rise in GHG
- CO₂ levels rising steadily for more than 100 years mainly due to fossil fuels
2
Q
Climate Change - Coral Bleaching
A
- when corals suffer heat stress, expel tiny algae which show white skeletons
- bleached corals more at risk of starvation/disease
- marine heatwaves triggered 4 mass bleaching events in 7 years
- reduced shallow coral reefs by up to 50%
- coral only recovers again if temp drops + conditions to normal
3
Q
Climate Change - Severe Weather Events
A
- CC increasing freq + intensity of weather events
- GBR exposed to cyclones, flooding + storms
- 2004 to 2018, 10 cyclones category 3+ hit GBR, damaging reefs significantly
4
Q
Climate Change - Habitat Changes
A
- sev. weather events may force out of habitats
- warmer water, so species move south for cooler temp water
- leads to more comp for food + shelter, threatening whole ecosystem
5
Q
Crown of Thorne Starfish
A
- nocturnal by nature, move up to 20 metres an hour
- can eat through 10m² of coral a year
- spikes w/ toxins venomous to humans + marine animals
- can live up to 9 months without eating
6
Q
Coastal Development - Agri
A
- most land in GBR used for grazing, crops, dairy etc
- more than 80% of catchment supports a form of agri
7
Q
Coastal Development - Mining
A
- production of saleable coal in Queensland more than doubled since the early 1990s
8
Q
Coastal Development - Port development
A
- major reason for coastal reclamation
- total area reclaimed since listing in 1981 is approx 8km²
9
Q
Coastal Development - Island Development
A
- main residential islands are Palm Island and Magnetic Island
- tourism resorts on 27 GBR islands
