The Great Barrier Reef
Size: 2300km
The Great Barrier Reef is one of Australia’s and the world most recognisable landmarks. The reef is composed of 2900 individual reefs. This natural phenomenon is so big that it is visible from outer space. The Great Barrier Reef is located on the northeast coast of Australia. It covers from the tip of Cape York extending all the way down to the coast of Bundaberg.
Biotic Features
Animals:
The Great Barriers Reef is home to many of the world’s rarest species of biotic and abiotic feature. The reef holds as many as 1625 different species of fish, including some that are endangered species. Seahorses, pipefish, sea dragons, potato cod, Queensland grouper, barramundi cod are all include on the endangered species …show more content…
Most of the world’s dugong population now occurs in northern Australian waters between Shark Bay in Western Australia and Moreton Bay in Queensland. It is listed under the IUCN - the World Conservation Union - Red List of Threatened Animals.
The Crown of Thorns starfish is one of the biggest invaders of the reef to date. Cyclic outbreaks of the crown-of-thorns starfish occur approximately every 17 years. There have been four documented outbreaks on the Great Barrier Reef since the 1960. The Crown of thorns starfish bread during the warmer months around October to February, with large females capable of producing up to 65 million eggs over the spawning …show more content…
Viscosity is the resistance of the water on animals such as fish and sea mammals. Buoyancy refers to the force that supports the weight of an organism. These factors subsidize the animals living in the reef.
What impact are humans having? Give THREE examples
• Over Fishing - Over fishing has caused major disturbances to the food web and in turn will have a domino effect on other species. Overexploitation of marine life unsettles the entire stability of oceanic life because it reduces animal life which means that there could be an over population of another species as they are not being eaten due to the decrease in other species.
• Global Warming - Global warming that has been induced by human activity has affected the reefs by creating warmer temperatures in the waters that will have adverse effects on these highly productive ecosystems.
• Pollution – Dangerous ‘farming’ off of Australia’s coast can result in toxic runoff that will eventually in turn destroy the fragile coral reef. Dangerous sediment has also been link with the farming that will cause destruction towards the reef as
Size: 2300km
The Great Barrier Reef is one of Australia’s and the world most recognisable landmarks. The reef is composed of 2900 individual reefs. This natural phenomenon is so big that it is visible from outer space. The Great Barrier Reef is located on the northeast coast of Australia. It covers from the tip of Cape York extending all the way down to the coast of Bundaberg.
Biotic Features
Animals:
The Great Barriers Reef is home to many of the world’s rarest species of biotic and abiotic feature. The reef holds as many as 1625 different species of fish, including some that are endangered species. Seahorses, pipefish, sea dragons, potato cod, Queensland grouper, barramundi cod are all include on the endangered species …show more content…
Most of the world’s dugong population now occurs in northern Australian waters between Shark Bay in Western Australia and Moreton Bay in Queensland. It is listed under the IUCN - the World Conservation Union - Red List of Threatened Animals.
The Crown of Thorns starfish is one of the biggest invaders of the reef to date. Cyclic outbreaks of the crown-of-thorns starfish occur approximately every 17 years. There have been four documented outbreaks on the Great Barrier Reef since the 1960. The Crown of thorns starfish bread during the warmer months around October to February, with large females capable of producing up to 65 million eggs over the spawning …show more content…
Viscosity is the resistance of the water on animals such as fish and sea mammals. Buoyancy refers to the force that supports the weight of an organism. These factors subsidize the animals living in the reef.
What impact are humans having? Give THREE examples
• Over Fishing - Over fishing has caused major disturbances to the food web and in turn will have a domino effect on other species. Overexploitation of marine life unsettles the entire stability of oceanic life because it reduces animal life which means that there could be an over population of another species as they are not being eaten due to the decrease in other species.
• Global Warming - Global warming that has been induced by human activity has affected the reefs by creating warmer temperatures in the waters that will have adverse effects on these highly productive ecosystems.
• Pollution – Dangerous ‘farming’ off of Australia’s coast can result in toxic runoff that will eventually in turn destroy the fragile coral reef. Dangerous sediment has also been link with the farming that will cause destruction towards the reef as