ECU103: Geography - Environmental Impact on Great Barrier Reef

This assignment, developed for ECU103 Geography for Schools, examines the environmental impact on the Great Barrier Reef. It explores key threats such as ocean acidification, predator attacks (Crown of Thorns starfish), and natural disasters, including their effects on coral bleaching, marine biodiversity, and the overall ecosystem. The article discusses the economic and physical impacts of these environmental factors, including the effects of coastal erosion, and the importance of conservation efforts. The assignment also covers the "Reef 2050 plan" and the role of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park in preserving this UNESCO world heritage site, emphasizing the need for a symbiotic relationship between Australia and the reef to combat global warming and ensure their survival. The student has provided references to support the findings.

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ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ON
THE GREAT BARRIER REEF
September 1, 2018
C eography for Schools newsletter isE U103 G
developed through collaboration respectful,
discussions and critical and creating thinking. Each
student should contribute one short article for
review by other students here is opportunity to. T
vote for your favorite article and a prize for the
people’s choice award since there is limited ti me–
for students to read all articles and the assignment
requirement is to read only you are advised to3
make yours stand out through use of an
imaginative ti tle.
he reat arrier ReefT G B
mage ource he Great arrier eef oundationI S - T B R F
GLOBAL WARMING AND THE GREAT BARRIER
REEF
he reef was formed as a result of global warming inT
the last glacial period and is ironically threatened by,
the global warming of today ut of the reefs. O 3000 ,
over reefs are in the risk zone700 1 due to various,
factors including coastal encroachment and,
development and river runoffs into the sea hree, . T
major environmental factors that affect the reef are
discussed below.
1. cean acidificationO
t is the decrease in the p levels of the ocean doeI H ,
to the increase in carbon dio ide in the atmospherex .
As coral reefs tend to calcify the decrease in the,
substance aragonite in the sea waters impacts
calcification and causes decay, 2 his impacts the. T
ecosystem leading to loss of marine biodiversity he, . T
increase in acidity causes an increase in the oceanic
temperatures his leads to coral bleaching wherein. T ,
the algae living inside the coral polyps are e pelledx 3.
his leads to coral starvation and also reduced coralT ,
reproduction.
2. redator AttackP
he corals of the reef are threatened by the CrownT “
of horns starfish which is its major predator heT ” , . T
starfish attacks the corals by climbing on them and,
secreting digestive enzymes to digest the liquefied ti ssue
of the coral ven though it is a normal predator prey. E -
relationship an increase in the starfish count would,
pose a great risk to the reef An increase in their.
population known as an outbreak could be, “ ”
disastrous for corals4 owever human factors play a. H ,
major role in this as reduction in the oceanic water,
quality fertilizer wastes etc can cause the predator, ;
larvae to thrive thus increasing their population, .
he Australian continent strategically positioned in theT ,
middle of the ndian cean and the acific cean is aI O P O ,
mega diverse landmass with deserts mountain- , ,
ranges rainforests and various other biodiversity, ,
hotspots he reat arrier Reef located to its north. T G B , -
east is a highly diverse ecosystem in itself with,
nearly reefs and islands his is one of3000 300 . T
Australia s hotspots and is a major economical boost’ ,
to the nation.
he reat arrier Reef is the world s largestT G B ’
coral reef situated in the Coral Sea he reef, . T
provides a large marine ecosystem and serves as a,
habitat to a variety of marine species Coral reefs are.
greatly beneficial to the landmass by protecting the,
shoreline he reat arrier Reef has been inhabited. T G B
by indigenous Australians since long oday it serves. T ,
as a major point in Australia for tourism and fi shing.
1 De ath’ , abricus Sweatman uoti nenF , , & P (2012)
2 ooldridgeW (2009)
3 ughes raham ackson Mumby SteneckH , G , J , , & , (2010)
4 ughes ughesH , H , & Smith (2014)

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3. atural disastersN
Coral reefs are e tremely resilient to any kinds ofx
tropical sea storms and cyclones thus any natural,
calamity would have a minimal impact on them5.
owever as the coral bleaching is occurring at a fastH ,
rate due to increase in the atmospheric carbon
dio ide ocean acidification etc there are greatx , , ,
chances of the collapse of the reef which would lead,
to mass damage and destruction of the marine
ecosystem supported by the reef.
he environmental impacts on the reef areT
huge and however inevitable they are hastened by, ,
the unscrupulous human activity ncrease in the. I
atmospheric carbon levels are mainly due to
increased carbon footprint by humans he increase. T
in acidity of the sea waters is mainly aggravated by
humans dumping the to ic wastes into the riverx
waters that run into the sea ikewise overfishing. L , ,
illegal hunting of sea life shipping oil mining etc add- , , - ,
to the destruction of the reef.
Demographical impact uman settlements would–H
migrate to inland areas as the coastal areas would,
be prone to fl oods and coastal erosions making it unfit,
for human habitation he land would also undergo. T
subsidence thus causing widespread destruction to,
life and property nhabitability in the coastal land. I
would impact agriculture livestock and fi sheries to a, ,
great e tentx 7.
Economical Impact Most of Australia s population– ’
lies in the coastal areas ueensland is the third most. Q
populous Australian province An impact to the.
coastline would cause unwarranted economical
impacts he reat arrier Reef is one of the most. T G B
important tourist s spots in Australia which’ ,
generates a huge income every year f it is slowly. I
destroyed it would impact the economy largely t, . I
also provides a large base for the fi shing industry the,
loss of which would cause a down spiral of the-
economy.
DAMAGE OFTHE GREAT CORAL REEF - IMPACT ON
AUSTRALIA
he geographical continent of Australia and the reatT G
arrier Reef must share a symbiotic relationship inB ,
order for both to survive the onslaught of global
warming owever if the latter is e ploited by the. H , x
former both the entities would get destroyed, .
Physical impact he reat arrier Reef is situated– T G B
on the coastline of ueensland which is Australia sQ , ’
second largest province Due to increasing coral.
bleaching of the reef the impact of global warming,
and climate change that were not felt earlier is being
felt now such as coastal erosion increasing sea, ,
levels etc6 his would in turn impact the quality of. T
the coastal land making it unfit for habitation Australia, .
needs to reduce its carbon footprint as an increase,
in temperature by even 1°C would cause widespread
loss to the reef ecosystem.
Climate change is for real and the slow death of the,
reat arrier Reef in front of our very eyes isG B
testimony to this t is very important to conserve the. I
reef so that the marine ecosystem thrives and the, ,
geographical landmasses near the reef are protected.
n order to conserve the reat arrier Reef the ReefI G B , “
plan was formed by the Australian2050 ”
government to ensure protection and preservation of,
the reef including short term and long term,
sustainability plans he reat arrier Reef Marine. T G B
ark which maintains the reef has taken up variousP
measures to protect the health of the reef thus,
sustaining life in and around the ecosystem8 As.
inhabitants of planet arth it is our duty to ensureE ,
that the reat arrier Reef which is one of the sevenG B ,
natural wonders of the world and a SC worldUNE O
heritage site is preserved for the future, .
CONSERVING THE GREAT CORAL REEF
5 oeghH - uldberg runoG & B (2010)
6 Munday ones ratchett illiams, J , P , & W (2008)
7 Cinner et al, . (2012)
8 Authority, reat arrier Reef Marine arkG B P (2014)

REFERENCES
Authority reat arrier Reef Marine ark, G B P . (2014). Great arrier reef outloo reportb k 2014. Australia:
reat arrier Reef Marine arkG B P .
Cinner McClanahan raham Daw Maina Stead S et al Vulnerability of, J., , T., G , N., , T., , J., , ., . (2012).
coastal communities to key impacts of climate change on coral reef fi sheries . Glo alb
Environmental Change , 12-20.
De ath abricus Sweatman uotinen M he year decline of coral cover on’ , G., F , K., , H., & P , . (2012). T 27–
the reat arrier Reef and its causesG B . Proceedings of the ational cademy of ciencesN A S pp( . 1-
AS5). PN .
oegh uldberg runo he impact of climate change on the world s marineH -G , O., & B , J. (2010). T ’
ecosystems. cienceS , 1523-1528.
ughes R ughes D Smith imits to understanding and managing outbreaks ofH , ., H , ., & , I. (2014). L
crown of thorns starfish Acanthaster spp- - ( .). ceanography and Marine iology n nnualO B : A A
evieR w , 133-200.
ughes raham ackson Mumby Steneck R Rising to the challenge ofH , T., G , N., J , J., , P., & , . (2010).
sustaining coral reef resilience. rends in ecology evolution& , 633-642.
Munday ones ratchett M illiams A Climate change and the future for coral, P., J , G., P , ., & W , . (2008).
reef fi shes. ish and isheriesF F , 261-285.
ooldridge S ater quality and coral bleaching thresholds ormalising the linkage for theW , . (2009). W : F
inshore reefs of the reat arrier Reef AustraliaG B , . Marine Pollution ulletinB , 745-751.
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