Biodiversity in Danger

The Great Barrier Reef

Angel Carney, 2010

Angel Carney, 2010

Overview:Introduction to the Reef:

What is a reef?Meet the Great Barrier Reef

The Problem:Endangered Species of the GBR

Causes of the ProblemSolutions for The Problem

Reef water protection planBiodiversity strategy

Conclusion

Angel Carney, 2010

What is A Reef? Coral reefs are diverse ecosystems made of

tiny living animals, called corals. Corals are soft, stationary animals without a

backbone! When the corals die, they leave behind hard

structures that are the basis of the reef Home to 30 different kinds of whales, 6

kinds of turtles, and over 1500 kinds of fish, PLUS sea snakes, sharks, and stingrays!

Home to some of the largest clams in the world!

Microscopic algae live on the corals and through photosynthesis, the corals “steal” nutrients from the algau, giving them their vibrant colors

Angel Carney, 2010

Meet the Great Barrier Reef Barrier Reefs are those that form parallel to a

land mass, usually several miles away Found in the shallow waters surrounding

Queensland, Australia! Named one of the seven wonders of the world! Estimated to be 500,000Years old It is the largest reef system in the world! Over 344,400 square kilometers and 1,800

miles long! 1,200 miles long Can be seen from space!

Angel Carney, 2010

The Problem: Due to many outside influences, Great Barrier

Reef is in peril! It is estimated that by the year 2100, the world

will have only 30% of it’s coral reefs The Great Barrier Marine Park Authority has

introduced several plans to help stop this Lots of the species that are native to the Great

Barrier Reef, and only found there are becoming endangered!

Endangered animals are species that are in danger of going extinct Many of the species on the reef are exclusive to

this area, which means when they are gone from the reef, they are gone from the planet

Angel Carney, 2010

The Problem: Endangered Species

Shells – helmet shells, triton shells, tridacnid clams

Fish – seahorses, pipefish, sea dragons, potato cod, Queensland Grouper, barramundi cod, Maori wrasse, all other grouper over 100 cm

Seasnakes Crocodiles

Sharks – whale shark, grey nurse shark, great white shark, freshwater and green sawfish

Marine turtles Birds Seals Whales and dolphins Dugongs

The following are the chief concern of the Marine Park Authority. There are MANY other species in danger as well.

Angel Carney, 2010

Causes of The Problem: Climate Change Pollution – Toxic Spills, and groundings Over-fishing and poaching Natural Disasters, such as hurricanes,

and tropical storms Physical Damage Water Quality

Angel Carney, 2010

CLIMATE CHANGEEvery part of the reef is affected by the climate changesThe water temperature is expected to rise 1.8-5.4 degrees Fahrenheit Rising climate makes ice bergs melt, which makes the ocean rise, estimates are at 3 mm per year

Causes stress to the very delicate corals: They become unfit hosts for and discharge the microorganisms which live on them.

Causes Coral Bleaching, which is when the corals begin to lose their colorations

Ocean acidification – Increasing temperatures cause increased carbon dioxide to be absorbed by the ocean waters.

Angel Carney, 2010

POLLUTION AND WATER QUALITY

30 Rivers in Queensland dump into the waters around the reef Pesticides and fertilizers run off into these

rivers and poison the inhabitants. Spreads disease among corals

Copper from industries stunts polyp development

Ships take “shortcuts” through the reef, and release exhausts and leak oils that suffocate the corals and other organisms, into the waters

Sediment: solid particles settle into the water and smother the environment Can result in the reef being buried! Blocks sunlight so the microorganisms

cannot photosynthesize and give the coral their colors

Angel Carney, 2010

OVER-FISHING Many species of the reef are increasing in popularity as

“delicacies” Naturally predatory species are over-fished, causing species

lower on the food chain to grow out of control Likewise, if species low on the food chain are diminished,

natural predators will die due to lack of food. Fishing increases pollution on the reef, because of the ships Many of the endangered species are poached, for flavors,

and high rates of pay Reduces life span and reproduction of species (Keller et. al,

2009). Nets dragged across the sea floor cause damage to the

habitat.

Angel Carney, 2010

NATURAL DISASTERSString storm winds and waves break the coralsIncrease sea levels!Dump too much freshwater into the sea The corals, polyps and all other inhabitants are salt water friendly

Freshwater decreases coral growth Rising water levels increase run off into the

rivers and, subsequently into the sea! Diluting the salt water contributes to coral

bleaching and death of the polyps

Angel Carney, 2010

TOURISM Stealing: Tourists rip pieces of the coral, and polyps

from the reef Touching: Suntan lotions and oils wash off and

cause damage to the reef Boats drop anchors in the reef and cause physical

damage Increases pollution, also

Littering: leaving foreign things in the reef Fishes may ingest harmful matter Chemicals in the litter can be harmful Much of the litter does not biodegrade

Propellers hit marine animals, such as endangered dugongs and turtles

Snorkel fins damage corals when stricken

Angel Carney, 2010

Solutions for The Problem

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority

Outlook ReportBiodiversity StrategyReef water Protection Plan

Angel Carney, 2010

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority

Manages the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Employs 15 Advisory Committees Committed to the long-term protection of the reef Reef HQ Aquarium – education center run by the

GBRMPA 25 Year plan:

Conservation Resource Management Education, and Communication Research and Monitoring Management Processes

(http://www.gbrmpa.gov.au/corp_site/management/25-year_strategic_plan)

Angel Carney, 2010

Great Barrier Reef Outlook Report 2009 A summary of the status and future of the Great

Barrier Reef Provides a report of the management of the

Great Barrier Reef Summarizes the past and present management

of the Great Barrier Reef Highlights:

The GBR is one of the most extraordinary ecosystems in the world

Key issues to be addressed within the Park: Climate Declining water quality Loss of habitat Fishing

Angel Carney, 2010

Great Barrier Reef is home to a VAST variety of species No other place in the world is home to as many

different plant and animal species living in harmony with each other

It is imperative that we preserve the diversity of this ecosystem

Aims to guide and help coordinate management actions that will protect and conserve biodiversity in the Great Barrier Reef, (GBRMPA, August 2010).

Conserves the diversity of the habitat as well as it inhabitants

Provides a framework for how biodiversity is managaged (GBRMPA, 2010).

Completes assessments on progress Identifies problems, fall-backs, and prioritizes

threats Manufactures and distributes publications to the

public

Bio-Diversity Strategy

Angel Carney, 2010

Reef water protection plan Launched in 2003, revised 2009 2 Goals:

immediate goal - to halt and reverse the decline in water quality entering the Reef by 2013 (Qld Gov, 2009)

long term goal - to ensure that by 2020 the quality of water quality entering the Reef from adjacent catchments has no detrimental impact on the health and resilience of the Great Barrier Reef. (Qld Gov, 2009)

Implement strategies on the farms surrounding the area

Enact, Review, oversee and stay on top of policies

Angel Carney, 2010

Reef Protection Plan Goal: To protect the Great Barrier Reef Protects 33% of the reef from

commercial and recreational fishing! Identifies endangered species, and

outlines steps to protect them Allows native peoples to fish the reef Prohibits removal of any part of the

reef or any inhabitant

Angel Carney, 2010

Conclusion:The Great Barrier Reef has been

recognized as a World Heritage Site. It covers an area larger than the size of Italy. Te Great Barrier Reef is home to a very wide variety of corals, polyps, plants, animals, fish, and more organisms and is more than 500,000 years old. It is imperative that we preserve this treasure trove under the sea. Many human practices are killing The Great Barrier Reef, but through knowledge we can spread the word and help combat the destruction of this natural wonder of the Earth. Please, help, spread the word!

Angel Carney, 2010

Works Cited

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Angel Carney, 2010

Photo Credits

1. Rowell, Andy. “Great Barrier Reef.” 07 July 2010. Online Image. Oil Change International. Accessed 16 November 2010.http://priceofoil.org/2009/07/07/coral-reefs-are-%E2%80%9Con-death-row%E2%80%9D/2. Queensland Tourism/AP. “australia-great-barrier-reef.” 2010. Online Image. Destination 360. Accessed 16 November 2010. http://www.destination360.com/australia-south-pacific/australia/great-barrier-reef3. AP. “Fishing.” 06 April 2010. Online Image. Huffington Post. Online Image. Accessed 16 November 2010.http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/04/06/great-barrier-reef-disast_n_527359.html#s790804. James, Debra. “Great Barrier Reef, Australia.” Science Daily. Online Image. Accessed 16 November 2010.http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/07/100706103406.htm5. Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority. “Coral Bleaching.” 2010. The Age. Online Image. Accessed 16 November 2010.http://www.theage.com.au/national/scientists-oceanic-plea-warns-of-imminent-reef-eulogy-20080606-2myo.html6. Bell, Gary. “Great Barrier Reef, Australia.” 13 April 2007. National Geographic. Online Image. Accessed 16 November 2010.http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/stories/peopleplaces/cool-vacations/7. Freund, J. “Porites Corals, Great Barrier Reef, Ausatralia.” 02 January 2009. BBC News. Online Image. Accessed 16 November 16, 2010. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7807943.stm8. Winter, Kate. “Hatchling.” 15 April 2010. Queensland Government. Environment and Resource Management. Online Image. Accessed 16 November 2010.http://www.derm.qld.gov.au/wildlife-ecosystems/wildlife/az_of_animals/loggerhead_turtle.html9. Leguen, Roger. "Turtle." WWF. Onlne Image. Accessed 29 Nov 2010.

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Angel Carney, 2010

Photo Credits

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