A Once Pristine Underwater World Needs Our Help

Stretching more than 2,300km along the east coast of Queensland is the World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef.

Stretching more than 2,300km along the east coast of Queensland is the World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef. This much-loved Aussie playground holds numerous accolades, many of which have to do with its pristine beauty and biodiversity. Its ecosystem is home to a diverse range of wildlife and fauna and flora, including more than 2,000 fish species, over 5,000 molluscs species and 800 echinoderm species. There are six of the seven known species of turtle in this wonderland recreational area. The GBR also boasts the world’s largest dugong population and above the coral sea there are over 175 different bird species. The best way to experience this underwater world is by snorkelling or diving into the turquoise water and swimming amongst the teeming mass of coral. Bright colours and strange creatures abound in this underwater world. Or rather, they did. As the temperatures rise on land due to global warming, so do the oceans. The GBR is facing its biggest threat after more than 100 years of anthropogenic impact. The Reef's vast size and complexity means its management of biodiversity is of intricate importance. The domino effect of greenhouse gas emissions have made a number of growing concerns visible along the Reef. We are facing a squall of threats to the reef and the animals that live on it, including coral bleaching, sediment run-off, pollution, and crown-of-thorns starfish outbreaks. When coral is under stress, they expel microscopic algae.  Without these specialised algae, coral tissue becomes transparent, exposing their white skeleton and losing their vibrant colours. This is called coral bleaching. According to the latest Reef snapshot: summer 2021-22, the Reef suffered its sixth mass coral bleaching event in December 2021. Another environmental impact on Reef biodiversity and ecology is an outbreak of Crown-of-thorns starfish. The snapshot reported that these starfish remain at outbreak or potential outbreak levels in parts of the northern, central and southern regions of the Reef. Crown-of-thorns starfish are a native coral predator, but when populations reach outbreak status, they eat coral tissue faster than corals can grow. The Great Barrier Reef is one of the world's seven natural wonders and one of the most popular attractions bringing tourists to Australia.  Yet, due to climate change, the Reef is projected to experience increased sea and air temperatures, sea level rise, acidification of the ocean, more intense storms and rainfall, and changes in ocean currents as a result. The Reef is an irreplaceable ecosystem facing a compounded number of threats, but there is hope if humanity can stand together and reverse climate change impacts by reducing carbon emissions. In Australia, many organisations and companies are involved in the regeneration of its natural environment.  Their goal is to reverse the health of the reef and halt the decline of species. We are in a race to prevent the ‘perfect storm’ on one of the most iconic and diverse ecosystems in the world. Fun Facts about the GBR   It’s visible from outer space   It’s the world’s biggest living organism   It’s larger than Switzerland, Holland and the United Kingdom combined   There are over 2900 coral reefs built from 360 species of hard coral