Impact of Sugarcane Farming on the Health of the Great Barrier Reef of Australia

This paper analyzes the adverse effects of sugarcane farming and the pollutants released by the farms on the health of the Great Barrier Reef of Australia.

Running head: SUGARCANE FARMING AND THE GREAT BARRIER REEF
IMPACT OF SUGARCANE FARMING ON THE HEALTH OF THE GREAT
BARRIER REEF OF AUSTRALIA
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author’s Note:

1SUGARCANE FARMING AND THE GREAT BARRIER REEF
Introduction
As opined by Hughes, Kerry and Simpson (2018), pollution had emerged as one of
the major wicked problems that the contemporary world is facing and this in turn is greatly
threatening the survival of the world. Graham et al. (2015) are of the viewpoint that because
of the problem of excessive pollution the world is facing various kinds of problems like
climate change, coral erosion, increase in number of diseases and its resultant death, changes
in the breeding patterns of the animals and birds, extinction of different animals and others
(Refer to Appendix 1). More importantly, it is seen that the adverse effects of the process of
excessive pollutant is adversely affecting the human beings, animals and the plants alike by
significantly affecting the quality of life that they lead (Hughes et al., 2017). One of the most
adverse effects of the process of pollution is the problem of coral erosion which in turn had
adversely affected the health as well as survival of the different coral reefs of the world under
the oceans or the seas. In this regard, mention needs to be made of the adverse effects of the
excessive pollution in the nation of Australia is taking a toll on the heath of ‘The Great Coral
Reef’ of Australia (Mellin et al., 2016). For example, it is seen that the different pollutants
released by the sugarcane farms which are adjacent to the “The Great Coral Reef” are
adversely affecting the health as well as the well-being of the corals and had also
significantly reduced the coral area of the concerned nation as well. The aim of this paper is
to analyse the adverse effects of sugarcane farming and the pollutants released by the farms
on the health on the Great Barrier Reef of Australia.
The Great Barrier Reef
Australia’s ‘The Great Barrier Reef’ is the largest coral reef of the world and covers
an area of more than 900 islands which comprises of a land area of 2300 kilometres or
roughly around 344,400 square kilometres (Greatbarrierreef.org, 2019). More importantly, it

2SUGARCANE FARMING AND THE GREAT BARRIER REEF
is seen that the concerned reef consists of more than 2,900 individual reefs which makes it
the largest one of the world not only in terms of the number of coral reefs that it boasts of but
at the same time in terms of the land area that it covers (Nationalgeographic.org, 2019).
Furthermore, the coral reef under discussion here is situated in the Coral Sea which in turn is
located near the coast of Queensland, Australia. Moreover, the concerned reef supports the
life of millions of sea animals as well as plants and is one of the very few areas which is
actually visible clearly from the outer space (Environment.gov.au, 2019). In the year 1981,
the coral reef under discussion here was declared a “World Heritage Site” not only because of
the large number of planets and animals that it supported but also because of the
environmental contributions that it makes (Greatbarrierreef.org, 2019). In this regard, it needs
to be said that the concerned coral greatly supports the marine ecology of the Coral Sea and
contributes in a substantial manner to maintain the status quo of the marine ecosystem of the
concerned sea (Hughes et al., 2018). In addition to this, the Great Coral Reef is often called
by the name of the “Wonder of Australia” and in the recent times it is seen that tourism had
been started around this area not only to support to economy of Australia but also to help in
the sustainable development of the concerned reef as well (Nationalgeographic.org, 2019). As
a matter of fact, it is seen that the Great Coral Reef of Australia generates more than AUD$3
billion every year because of the different kinds of tourism activities are being organised at
the concerned reef (Environment.gov.au, 2019). However, in the present times it had been
seen that the problem of pollution is adversely affecting the natural health of this coral reef
and thereby greatly threatens its survival (Refer to Appendix 2).
Sugarcane farming and its effect of ‘The Great Barrier Reef’
Ainsworth et al. (2016) have articulated the viewpoint that one of the major sources of
pollution which is adversely affecting the health and thereby the survival of the Great Coral
Reef are the run-offs from the pesticides, fertilisers, chemical growth enhancers and others

3SUGARCANE FARMING AND THE GREAT BARRIER REEF
which are being used in the sugarcane farms near the Coral Sea. In the nation of Australia, it
is seen that sugarcane planting forms an integral part of the economic framework of the
concerned nation. As a matter of fact, the nation of Australia is one of the largest producers
of sugarcane of the world and every year produces more than 35 million tonnes of sugar
(Agrifutures.com.au, 2019). In addition to this, it is seen that the sugarcane production of the
concerned nation had increased in an exponential manner over the years because of the usage
of advanced machineries, pesticides, fertilisers and other kinds of chemicals for enhancing
the growth rate of the sugarcane plants (Research.csiro.au, 2019). However, the problem
arises because of the fact that the majority of the sugarcane farms of Australia are located
near the Coral Sea because of the suitable conditions presented by the concerned area (Refer
to Appendix 3).
In Australia, adjacent to the Great Barrier Reef, there are more than 3,000 sugarcane
farms and also other agricultural farms which span over a land area of more than 360,000
hectares (Wwf.org.au, 2019). More importantly, it is seen that these farms use different kinds
of fertilizers as well as pesticides for enhancing the growth rate as well as the quality of the
sugarcanes and also other agricultural products. Furthermore, these fertilizers as well as
pesticides are not biodegradable and often run into the water bodies which are adjacent to
them (Bell, Elmetri & Lapointe, 2014). The water of these river bodies in turn gets connect
with the coastal floodplains wherein the Great Barrier Reef is located. The major problem
arises because of the fact that these fertilizers as well as pesticides form sediments in these
coastal flood plains which greatly support the coral reefs and thereby adversely affect their
health and viability. Furthermore, they have significantly reduced the quality of the water by
enhancing the level of nitrogen in these water bodies which greatly support the life of the
coral reefs (Huffingtonpost.com.au, 2019). This is important because of the fact that the coral
reefs for sustaining themselves need quality water with high content of oxygen in the same

4SUGARCANE FARMING AND THE GREAT BARRIER REEF
(Bell, Elmetri & Lapointe, 2014). As a matter of fact, a research conducted by Wwf.org.au
(2019) clearly states that if the amount of sentiments flowing into the water bodies is not
reduced by half and no efforts are being taken for improving the quality of the water then it is
expected that the coral reefs of Australia would be reduced by more than 80%. Needless to
say, this poses a significant amount of threat to the marine ecosystem of the concerned nation
and its water bodies which greatly support the life of the corals.
The different kinds of threats that the ‘The Great Coral Reef’ is presently can be
attributed to the diverse ineffective farming techniques used by the sugarcane farms which
are located in the Queensland area of Australia adjacent to the Coral Sea (Van Grieken et al.,
2019). In addition to the problem caused by the excessive usage of different kinds of harmful
non-biodegradable pesticides, fertilisers, chemical growth enhancers and others there are
other factors as well which have contributed towards the different challenges faced by “The
Great Coral Reef’. For example, in the majority of the sugarcane farms it is seen that the
dried sugarcane plants are being burned rather than disposing them off through the usage of
different kinds of techniques that would cause a lesser amount of environmental pollution
(Star et al., 2018). However, because of technique of burning which is being used by the
majority of the sugarcane farms it is seen that not only the level of air pollution had increased
in an exponential manner but also the extent of water pollution as well. These different kinds
of pollutants in turn get assimilated into the natural water of the Coral Sea which in turn is
adversely affecting the normal health of ‘The Great Coral Reef’ and thereby the marine
ecosystem of the entire sea under discussion here. For example, it had significantly enhanced
the level of coral bleaching which in turn had not only reduced the number of coral reefs but
at the same time is also adversely affecting the remaining coral reefs as well (Refer to
Appendix 4).

5SUGARCANE FARMING AND THE GREAT BARRIER REEF
Rolfe and Harvey (2017) have articulated the viewpoint that the problem of coral
bleaching arises when the different corals of the coral reef system expel algae (zooxanthellae)
which live in their tissues and this turn gives a white appearance. As opined by Liang et al.
(2018), the process of coral bleaching does not kill a coral reef but at the same time it
adversely affects the mortality rate of the concerned coral as well as its ability to support the
life of the plants or the animals that are dependent on it for their sustenance. In this regard, it
needs to be said that one of the most factors for the process of coral bleaching is the fact that
the waters of the oceans or the seas which support the different kinds of corals are turning
warm and this in turn accelerates the process of coral bleaching. In the particular context of
‘The Great Coral Reef’, it can be said that one of the most important factors which had
directly contributed towards the increase in the temperature of the water of the Coral Sea and
thereby accelerated the process of coral bleaching is the high amount of pollution caused by
the sugarcane farms that are located adjacent to the Coral Sea in the Queensland area of
Australia (Kroon et al., 2016). The majority of the pollutants released by the sugarcane farms
are non-biodegradable in nature and they in turn not only forms sediments in the floor of the
ocean but at the same time over the years have caused the temperature of the concerned sea to
increase in a substantial manner as well.
Deane et al. (2018) have stated the viewpoint that the sugarcane farms which are
located near the Coral Sea have also adversely affected the health as well as the mortality of
‘The Great Coral Reef’ by enhancing the process of eutrophication in the Coral Sea. For
example, the polluted water which gets disposed within the Coral Sea had significantly
reduced the nitrogen content in the water of the Coral Sea and this in turn had significantly
enhanced the process of eutrophication in the concerned sea (Davis et al., 2017). More
importantly, because of the excessive algal bloom on the surface of the Coral Sea had in turn
significantly reduced the oxygen content of the concerned sea and this in turn is fast depleting

6SUGARCANE FARMING AND THE GREAT BARRIER REEF
the oxygen of the sea under discussion here (Coggan et al., 2017). The resultant effect of this
is that not only the coral reef under discussion here but also the different planets, animals and
others of the Coral Sea are not getting adequate amount of oxygen within the sea for their
survival. This in turn had not only stunted the growth of the ‘The Great Coral Reef’ but at the
same time reduced the mortality rate of the different coral reefs which form a part of the
same. Moreover, it is seen that the different kinds of pollutants released by the sugarcane
farms located in the Queensland area of Australia had adversely affected the water quality of
the Coral Sea which in turn greatly threatens the existence of ‘The Great Coral Reef’ (Brodie
et al., 2015). As opined by Bell, Elmetri and Lapointe (2014), the coral reefs are very
sensitive and for their survival as well as effective level of growth or development they not
only require adequate climatic condition but at the same time a suitable quality of water as
well. Thus, it can be said that the pollution caused by the different sugarcane farms of
Australia had directly affected the ‘The Great Coral Reef’ of Australia and the net result of
this is that the coral population of the concerned nation is declining at an alarmingly faster
rate.
Ainsworth et al. (2016) have articulated the viewpoint that the declining health of
‘The Great Coral Reef’ of Australia is not only important from the environmental perspective
but at the same time from the economic perspective of Australia as well. For example, it had
been noted by the Kroon et al. (2016) that ‘The Great Coral Reef’ and the different coral reefs
which form a part of it greatly support the marine ecosystem of the Coral Sea and thereby
directly contribute towards the stability of the concerned sea (Hughes et al., 2017). The net
result of this is that in the event of the death of all the coral reefs of ‘The Great Coral Reef’
the marine ecosystem of the Coral Sea is not only going to get disrupted but at the same time
many of the plants as well as animals which are directly dependent on the coral reefs for their
survival would also die along with the coral reefs. This in turn is likely to adversely affect not

7SUGARCANE FARMING AND THE GREAT BARRIER REEF
only the natural ecosystem of the entire nation of Australia but also of the entire world itself
by way of adversely affecting the marine ecosystem around the coastal region of Australia.
The economic repercussions of the death of the coral reefs of ‘The Great Coral Reef’
can in no way be relegated to the background. In this regard, it needs to be said that the
national government of Australia in a bid to enhance its annual revenue had converted ‘The
Great Coral Reef’ into a popular tourism destination wherein tourists not only from the
different parts of Australia but also the world, have the opportunity to visit (Hughes et al.,
2018). In addition to this, the tourists also have the opportunity to indulge in different kinds
of water sports and other kinds of recreational events at ‘The Great Coral Reef’ and this as a
matter of fact had enabled the Australian government to earn a significant amount of revenue
over the years. However, because of the problems of coral bleaching, the reduce number of
coral reefs, the declining mortality rate of the corals and others the revenue earned by the
Australian government from ‘The Great Coral Reef’ is likely to decline in a significant
manner and this turn would adversely affect the national economy of Australia
(Environment.gov.au, 2019).
The national government of Australia in collaboration with the other international
authorities in the recent times have taken the help of different kinds of measures to slow
down the decline of ‘The Great Coral Reef’ if not to completely resolve the issue. For
example, the Australian national government had in the recent times given strict mandate to
the different sugarcane farms which are located near the Coral Sea so as to reduce the among
of land, water and air pollution caused by them (Research.csiro.au, 2019). Furthermore, the
Australian national government in the present times had undertaken various kinds of research
and development projects so as to come up cost effective high quality biodegradable
pesticides, fertilisers, growth enhancers and others that can be used by the different sugarcane
farms of Queensland without causing any significant threat to ‘The Great Coral Reef’

8SUGARCANE FARMING AND THE GREAT BARRIER REEF
(Environment.gov.au, 2019). In addition to these, in the present times it had been seen that
the national government of Australia had initiated various projects which will aim to address
problems or the issues faced by the corals of ‘The Great Coral Reef’. These initiatives of the
national government are intended to reduce the negative effects of the process of coral
bleaching, enhancing the mortality rates of the corals, reducing the adverse effects of
eutrophication, improving the quality of water of the Coral Sea and others
(Nationalgeographic.org, 2019). It is pertinent to note in this context that although have tried
to address the problems under discussion here yet at the same time it is seen that a lot more
can be done so as to resolve the concerned issue in an effective manner. However, the
problem arises on the score of the fact that the initiatives undertaken by the Australian
government are rudimentary in nature and also the national government is struggling to
implement them. Thus, it can be said that for the effective resolution of the problem under
discussion here the national government of Australia not only would have to devise effective
measures but also enter into a collaboration with the different sugarcane farms located near
the Coral Sea so as to resolve the issue and thereby safeguard ‘The Great Coral Reef’.
Conclusion
To conclude, over the years the problem of man-made pollution had emerged as one
of the major wicked problems or evils that the world is facing. Furthermore, it is seen that the
wicked problem of pollution is affecting the human beings, animals and plants all alike and it
is because of this that the resolution of this problem is important from the perspective of the
long-term survival of all of them. In this regard, it needs to be said that because of the
problem of pollution the health as well as the mortality of the different coral reefs of ‘The
Great Coral Reef’ is getting adversely affected. The root cause of the majority of the
problems faced by the coral reefs of ‘The Great Coral Reef’ can be attributed to the large
number of pollutants released by the sugarcane farms which are located in the Queensland

9SUGARCANE FARMING AND THE GREAT BARRIER REEF
area of Australia, adjacent to the Coral Sea. For example, it is seen that the chemical
pesticides, fertilisers, growth enhancers and others released by these sugarcane farms have in
the recent times reduced the water quality of the Coral Sea. This in turn had reduced the
nitrogen content of the concerned water body, accelerated the process of coral bleaching,
eutrophication and others which are adversely affecting the coral reefs of ‘The Great Coral
Reef’. In this context, it needs to be said that they have not only reduced the mortality rate of
the corals but at the same time directly contributed towards the death of many corals and this
in turn is adversely affecting the marine ecosystem of the concerned area. Thus, it becomes
all the more important for the Australian national government to take the help of different
measures for the effective resolution of the concerned problem.

10SUGARCANE FARMING AND THE GREAT BARRIER REEF
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15SUGARCANE FARMING AND THE GREAT BARRIER REEF
Appendix 1
Figure 1: Increase in the number of death due to pollution
Source: Environment.gov.au, 2019
The above graph clearly indicates that the number of death as well as the different
problems or issues related to pollution over the years had increased in an exponential manner.
This is important from the perspective of the long-term survival of the individuals because of
the fact that the large number of health-related issues that the individuals are facing on the
score of environmental pollution is adversely affecting the quality of life that they lead and
this in turn had not only reduced their mortality rate over the years but at the same time
significantly increased the number of individuals dying because of the health problems
caused by pollution.

16SUGARCANE FARMING AND THE GREAT BARRIER REEF
Appendix 2
Figure
2:
Percentage of Coral reef deaths in the year 2018
Source: Huffingtonpost.com.au, 2019

17SUGARCANE FARMING AND THE GREAT BARRIER REEF
The above figure clearly indicates the percentage of coral deaths has increased in an
exponential manner in the present times because of the high amount of pollutants released by
the sugarcane farms of the nation of Australia. As a matter of fact, in the northern region of
“The Great Coral Reef” the percentage is as high as 67% which is actually a matter of great
concern for the national government of Australia since if the coral reefs continue to die at this
alarming rate then very soon the day will come when there will be no more coral reefs left.
This in turn would adversely affect the marine ecosystem of the Coral Sea and thereby the
ecosystem of the entire world itself.

18SUGARCANE FARMING AND THE GREAT BARRIER REEF
Appendix 3
Figure 3: Use of Fertilizers in sugarcane farms
Source: Huffingtonpost.com.au, 2019
The amount of chemical pesticides, fertilisers, growth enhancers and others used by
the sugarcane farms of Australia had increased in a substantial manner in conjunction with
the demand for sugar products by the different people of Australia. However, the problem
arises because of the fact that the chemical products used by the sugarcane farms for
stimulating the growth of the sugarcane plants are adversely affecting the health as well as
the mortality rate of the coral reefs of ‘The Great Coral Reef’ of Australia. As a matter of
fact, it is seen that more than 67% of the coral reefs which belong to ‘The Great Coral Reef’
of Australia have already been damaged or are dying for that and also the procreation abilities
of these coral reefs have also been adversely affected. This in turn poses a significant amount
of threat to the plants as well as animals which are directly dependent on the concerned corals
for their existence and thereby threatens to disrupt the entire ecosystem of the world itself. As
a matter of fact, it is seen that these pollutants released by the different sugarcane farms of
Australia have significantly enhanced the nutrient content of the Coral Sea which in turn had
significantly contributed towards the process of eutrophication, another major problem that is

19SUGARCANE FARMING AND THE GREAT BARRIER REEF
adversely affecting the health and thereby the survival of the coral reefs of ‘The Great Coral
Reef’. Furthermore, the national government of Australia in the recent times had taken
various initiatives to reduce the usage of chemical pesticides, fertilisers and others chemical
used by the sugarcane farms which are high in nutrient content yet no effective solution has
been devised till now.

20SUGARCANE FARMING AND THE GREAT BARRIER REEF
Appendix 4
Figure 4: Damage caused by the fertilizers on the health of the Great Barrier Reef
Source: Wwf.org.au, 2019
Coral bleaching is one of the most important problems that the different coral reefs of
‘The Great Coral Reef’ are presenting which is adversely affecting their health and also
mortality. In this regard, it needs to be said that the problem of coral bleaching forces the
coral reefs to release the algae which lives among them and this in not only reduces the
nutrient content of these coral reefs but at the same time makes them go white in colour.
More importantly, it also affects the mortality rate of the coral reefs and also their growth
abilities and the resultant effect of this is that within a very short span of time they end up
dying. Furthermore, the algae which is being released by these coral reefs gets accumulated at
the surface layer of the ocean and thereby contributes to the process of eutrophication which
is another major problem that adversely affects the health of the coral reefs. As a matter of
fact, it is seen that the process of eutrophication had significantly reduced the oxygen content
of the oceans and other water bodies and this in turn is acting as another major challenge for
the survival of the different coral reefs like the one which belong to ‘The Great Coral Reef’.