The Great Barrier Reef is
the world's largest coral reef system composed of over 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands
stretching for over 2,300 kilometres (1,400 mi) over an area of approximately 344,400 square kilometres (133,000 sq mi). The reef is located in the Coral Sea, off the coast of Queensland, Australia.
What Makes the Great Barrier Reef unique?
The Great Barrier Reef is unique
as it extends over 14 degrees of latitude, from shallow estuarine areas to deep oceanic waters
. Within this vast expanse are a unique range of ecological communities, habitats and species – all of which make the Reef one of the most complex natural ecosystems in the world.
What are 3 facts about the Great Barrier Reef?
- It is the world's largest reef system. …
- It is home to an incredible diversity of species. …
- Corals are alive. …
- The reef is further out than you may think. …
- The threats to the reef are numerous. …
- A bleached reef isn't always a dead reef. …
- There is hope for the reef's return.
What is the Great Barrier Reef famous for?
Australia's Great Barrier Reef is great in every way. One of the world's seven natural wonders, it is a prized World Heritage Area,
the largest coral reef system and the biggest living structure on the planet
. It sprawls over a jaw-dropping 344,400 square kilometres – an area so large that it can be seen from space.
What are 5 facts about the Great Barrier Reef?
- It is the world's largest reef system. …
- It is home to an incredible diversity of species. …
- Corals are alive. …
- The reef is further out than you may think. …
- The threats to the reef are numerous. …
- A bleached reef isn't always a dead reef. …
- There is hope for the reef's return.
What are five facts about the Great Barrier Reef?
- It is the world's largest reef system. …
- It is home to an incredible diversity of species. …
- Corals are alive. …
- The reef is further out than you may think. …
- The threats to the reef are numerous. …
- A bleached reef isn't always a dead reef. …
- There is hope for the reef's return.
What are the 3 main threats to the Great Barrier Reef?
- Water quality. Increasing sediment, nutrients and contaminants, combined with rising sea temperatures and ocean acidification are damaging the Reef.
- Crown of Thorns Starfish. …
- Coastal development.
What is killing the Great Barrier Reef?
Despite their importance,
warming waters, pollution, ocean acidification, overfishing, and physical destruction
are killing coral reefs around the world. … Genetics is also becoming a larger area of coral research, giving scientists hope they might one day restore reefs with more heat tolerant coral.
Is Great Barrier Reef worth it?
The Great Barrier Reef is undoubtedly one of the most unique and unbelievably beautiful destinations in the whole world!
A visit to the reef is absolutely worth it
and somewhere you cannot miss out on when travelling Australia.
What is the Great Barrier Reef made of kids?
Here is an interesting tidbit about the Great Barrier Reef for kids: even though they are hard as rocks, corals are actually alive! They are made up of tiny marine animals called
coral polyps
. Coral polyps take natural minerals from the seawater to build themselves protective skeletons made of calcium carbonate.
Who found the Great Barrier Reef?
European exploration of the reef began in 1770, when the
British explorer Capt. James Cook
ran his ship aground on it. The work of charting channels and passages through the maze of reefs, begun by Cook, continued during the 19th century.
What animals live in the Great Barrier Reef?
The Great Barrier Reef is a refuge for many species of conservation concern. These species of conservation concern include
inshore dolphins, whales, dugongs, sawfish, sea snakes, marine turtles
How many animals are in the Great Barrier Reef?
The Great Barrier Reef, which extends for over 2,300 kilometers (1429 miles) along the northeastern coast of Australia, is home to
over 9,000 known species
. There are likely many more—new discoveries are frequently being made, including a new species of branching coral discovered in 2017.
How do we protect the Great Barrier Reef?
There are projects that range from
education programs, plastic pollution control, COTS eradication, coral nurseries, renewable energy development and responsible stewardship
by marine park tourism organisations, which all contribute to helping save the Great Barrier Reef.
What is the climate of the Great Barrier Reef?
Temperatures are pretty steady throughout the year, with an
average maximum of 30°C and minimum of 21°C.
Though this can rise much higher in the warmer months. This tropical climate makes the Great Barrier Reef party to plenty of rain throughout the year, with an average of 2010mm falling during the year.
Is tourism Killing the Great Barrier Reef?
Claims by environmental groups that
the Great Barrier Reef is dying have
pushed the north Queensland tourism industry to the point of “near recession”, with visitor numbers slumping amid negative perceptions of the natural wonder. … Former Cairns mayor Kevin Byrne said the region's tourism industry was in dire shape.
