Every summer, we examine satellite images of floods and river plumes entering the Great Barrier Reef. Monitoring teams measure the pollutants in them, and link these and other pressures to effects we observe on inshore coral and seagrass meadows .

What type of system is the Great Barrier Reef?

coral reef system
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).

How is the Great Barrier Reef monitored?

Every summer, we examine satellite images of floods and river plumes entering the Great Barrier Reef. Monitoring teams measure the pollutants in them, and link these and other pressures to effects we observe on inshore coral and seagrass meadows .

Who monitors the Great Barrier Reef?

In addition, the Marine Monitoring Program (MMP) monitors the condition of reefs close to the coast in association with the Reef 2050 Water Quality Improvement Plan. This information underpins the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) Outlook reports.

What is the purpose of IMOS?

Australia’s collaborative, nationwide Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS) program deploys a national array of equipment to monitor the open oceans and coastal marine environment around Australia, covering physical, chemical and biological variables.

What are 5 interesting facts about the Great Barrier Reef?

11 Amazing 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 so special about the Great Barrier Reef?

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 the 3 main threats to the Great Barrier Reef?

Climate change is the greatest threat to the Great Barrier Reef, threatening its very existence.

• Coral Bleaching. The Reef has suffered three mass coral bleaching events in just five years due to heat stress caused by climate change.
• Water quality.
• Crown of Thorns Starfish.
• Coastal development.

Who owns the Great Barrier Reef?

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are the Traditional Owners of the Great Barrier Reef area and have a continuing connection to their land and sea country.

What are the 3 biggest threats to the GBR?

What is IMO and how does it work?

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that is responsible for measures to improve the safety and security of international shipping and to prevent marine pollution from ships. The IMO sets standards for the safety and security of international shipping.

What are 3 reasons why the Great Barrier Reef is important?

They’re home to a quarter of the ocean’s marine life, generate clean air and protect vulnerable coastlines from erosion, flooding and storms. In Australia, our Great Barrier Reef is an irreplaceable and crucial part of our ecosystem – and our economy.

What are 2 Fun Facts about Great Barrier Reef?

Below are some interesting facts and statistics about the magical Great Barrier Reef.

• The Great Barrier Reef is the largest living thing on Earth and is visible from outer space!
• This incredible eco-system is 2,300km long.
• There are thousands of reefs and hundreds of islands.
• There are 600 types of hard and soft coral.

What are 3 facts about the Great Barrier Reef?

How many years does the Great Barrier Reef have left?

If current trends continue, over 90 percent or more of the living coral will be gone from the central and southern parts of the reef in just 10 years.

Can we live without coral reefs?

According to the United Nations, around one billion people globally depend on coral reefs for their food and livelihoods. Let that sink in for a second. Their disappearance would be catastrophic; resulting in hundreds of millions of people around the world losing their main source of food and income.

What are some fun facts about the Great Barrier Reef?

What happens if Great Barrier Reef dies?

If coral reefs disappeared, essential food, shelter and spawning grounds for fish and other marine organisms would cease to exist, and biodiversity would greatly suffer as a consequence. Marine food-webs would be altered, and many economically important species would disappear.

Where is the largest barrier reef in the world?

Queensland, Australia
Stretching for 1,429 miles over an area of approximately 133,000 square miles , the Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef system in the world. The reef is located off the coast of Queensland, Australia, in the Coral Sea.