The Great Barrier Reef by Aditi Raju 6C

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.   A New Perspective

2.Threats

3.Endangered Ecology

4.  Tourism – Having Fun J

5.Conclusion

6.  Glossary

7.  Bibliography

A New Perspective

The Great Barrier Reef , a natural wonder of the world is unique beyond imaginable. It is one of the most popular tourist spots and it has the most diverse marine ecology in the world.

However , as the world heats up like a giant preheating oven(Global Warming*)the reef’s luck is going down. Human activities are threatening the environment including the reef.

We now have a basic idea about the endangerment of The Great Barrier Reef. Do we know what to save the reef from?

 Threats

Climate change is the biggest threat to the Great Barrier Reef. It not only affects us but the whole reef ecosystem.

Climate change further affects…

·      Ocean temperature

·      Supply of nutrients

·      Food chains

·      Ocean currents (cyclones)

All of these again affect…

Many oil spills also damage and destroy the life underwater. The thick greasy oil makes the water very unsafe to live in.

 

Coral Bleaching

Coral Bleaching is the whitening of corals due to stress induced expulsion*.Once bleaching starts it does not stop for a very long period of time. This also reduces the biological diversity .

 

 

Acidic oceans

A lot of carbon dioxide* is being released by humans thus oceans becoming acidic and slightly dangerous.

Many other things such as

-Pollution     -Fishing boats  -Toxic runoff*

And many more affect The Great Barrier Reef.

The huge amount dangers the reef faces does not affect us. Who does it affect?

 

Endangered Ecology

The great barrier Reefs wildlife is diverse and like no other. It is such an inspiring community of creatures. It is hard to imagine the Great Barrier Reef without all its life.All the animals use the corals as a home. In return the creatures clean the coral of algae* and other fungi.

‘Coral reefs represent some of the world's most spectacular beauty spots, but they are also the foundation of marine life: without them many of the sea's most exquisite species will not survive.’

Sheherazade Goldsmith

 

Turtles, being an endangered species need to be protected. Out of 4000 eggs laid only about 3 survive.

Turtles are valued in the Great Barrier Reef  because they are endangered.6/7 of the world’s turtle species make their home in the reef for many reasons. The turtles that swim in the blue waters are the green sea turtles, leatherback sea turtle, flatback turtle, hawksbill turtle, the loggerhead sea turtle, and the olive ridley.

Another creature in danger is dugong. Not many people have heard of the dugong. The dugong is very special because it plays a huge role in the ecosystem.

Endangerment of the reef, is a very serious topic. However, most people visit The Great Barrier Reef.

Tourism – Having Fun J

The Great Barrier Reef  was made to be explored. The vast expanse of corals can be explored from inside the water or outside.

Here are a few activities that can be done.

 

PRIVATE HELICOPTER TOUR

SNORKELLING

PARASAILING

SNO

SAILING

SWIMMING

GLASS-BOTTOMED BOAT

 

 

 

 

 

In the reef, underwater we can see the inner beauty of the structure and the heart and soul of the reef lies beneath the water surface.

 

When we go underwater we can see the corals and wildlife. Even deeper in the water there are breathtaking caves and shipwrecks.

Even though the Great Barrier Reef from underwater is like entering a whole new world, the reef from above is quite beautiful too. Hangliding and Helicopter tours are ways to see the reef from an eagle’s eye view. The waters of the coral sea are warm all year round. This brings tourists at any time of the year.

 

Turtle Hatchings

People from all over the world come to see the baby turtles emerge from their eggs. Turtle hatchings happen in January.

Conclusion

The world has so many places to see. One of them being , the Great Barrier Reef. Mother Nature provides fun and surprises by giving us this reef.

What do we give in return? Nothing but harm.

We humans are quite selfish to our environment. The one thing destroying the reef, global warming is mostly our fault.

The message conveyed being…

WE NEED TO SAVE

THE GREAT BARRIER REEF

BY

CONSERVING ENERGY!

‘You must be the change you wish to see in the world.’

Mahatma Gandhi

Glossary

1.  Global Warming - an increase in the earth's average atmospheric temperature that causes corresponding changes in climate and that may

result from the greenhouse effect.

 

2.  Stress induced expulsion -  is a generalized stress response of corals 

 

3.  Carbon dioxide -  a colorless, odorless, incombustible gas, CO ₂, present in theatmosphere and formed during respiration

 

4.  Toxic runoff - Toxic runoff can pollute surface waters, like rivers and lakes, as well as seep into underground groundwater supplies. It is caused by any source that empties directly into a waterway.

5.  Algae - any of numerous groups of chlorophyll-containing, mainly aquatic organisms

 

Bibliography

www.gbrmpa.gov.au

en.wikipedia.org

Round the Globe by Sumitra Ray

www.wwf.org.au

www.dictionary.reference.com

Google &

I THANK ALL THE WEBSITES AND BOOKS ABOVE FOR HELPING ME MAKE THE MOST PART OF SUCH AN INSPIRING FEATURE ARTICLE!