Table of Contents
- 1 How many species rely on the Great Barrier Reef?
- 2 How many jobs rely on the Great Barrier Reef?
- 3 Is the Great Barrier Reef the biggest reef in the world?
- 4 How many jobs do coral reefs provide?
- 5 Why is the Great Barrier Reef popular?
- 6 How many reefs make up the Great Barrier Reef?
- 7 Why is the Great Barrier Reef so important?
- 8 How many jobs does the Great Barrier Reef support?
How many species rely on the Great Barrier Reef?
The Great Barrier Reef is home to more than 1,500 species of fish, 411 types of hard coral, one-third of the world’s soft corals, 134 species of sharks and rays, six of the world’s seven species of threatened marine turtles, and more than 30 species of marine mammals, including the vulnerable dugong.
How many jobs rely on the Great Barrier Reef?
64,000
The Great Barrier Reef is an economic powerhouse, contributing more than $6.4 billion each year to the Australian economy and around 64,000 full-time jobs.
How do humans depend on the Great Barrier Reef?
Coral reefs protect coastlines from storms and erosion, provide jobs for local communities, and offer opportunities for recreation. They are also are a source of food and new medicines. Over half a billion people depend on reefs for food, income, and protection.
How has the Great Barrier Reef evolved?
The reef as we know it today is built on the backs and bones of many millions of years of coral as the ocean levels have changed, islands have formed and land has settled. The current formation that we know and love is about 6,000 to 8,000 years old and sits on the platform of a much older reef.
Is the Great Barrier Reef the biggest reef in the world?
More information. The Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef ecosystem on earth and one of the best managed marine areas in the world. At 348 000 square kilometres, the reef is one of the richest and most diverse natural ecosystems on Earth.
How many jobs do coral reefs provide?
Coastal and marine tourism represents a significant share of the industry and is an important component of the growing, sustainable Blue Economy, supporting more than 6.5 million jobs—second only to industrial fishing.
Who or what depends on coral reefs?
Coral reefs support some of the most biodiverse ecosystems on the planet. Thousands of marine animals depend on coral reefs for survival, including some species of sea turtles, fish, crabs, shrimp, jellyfish, sea birds, starfish, and more. Coral reefs provide shelter, spawning grounds, and protection from predators.
How humans affect the coral reefs?
Pollution, overfishing, destructive fishing practices using dynamite or cyanide, collecting live corals for the aquarium market, mining coral for building materials, and a warming climate are some of the many ways that people damage reefs all around the world every day.
Why is the Great Barrier Reef popular?
The Great Barrier Reef was the first coral reef system to be awarded World Heritage status, meeting all four of the natural criteria for a World Heritage listing. The snorkelling and diving opportunities are some of the best in the world, with rainbow coloured corals and an array of marine life to see up close.
How many reefs make up the Great Barrier Reef?
3,000 individual reefs
The reef, which is large enough to be visible from space, is made up of nearly 3,000 individual reefs. Much of the Great Barrier Reef is a marine protected area, managed by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority of Australia.
How many people visit the Great Barrier Reef each year?
Approximately two million people visit the Great Barrier Reef each year. Although most of these visits are managed in partnership with the marine Tourism industry, there is a concern among the general public that tourism is harmful to the Great Barrier Reef.
How many species of coral are in the Great Barrier Reef?
The Great Barrier Reef, which extends for over 2,300 kilometers (1429 miles) along the northeastern coast of Australia, is home to over 9,000 known species. There are likely many more—new discoveries are frequently being made, including a new species of branching coral discovered in 2017.
Why is the Great Barrier Reef so important?
There are likely many more—new discoveries are frequently being made, including a new species of branching coral discovered in 2017. This richness and uniqueness make the reef crucial for tourism and the Australian economy—it attracts at least 1.6 million visitors every year.
How many jobs does the Great Barrier Reef support?
The Great Barrier Reef Supports 69,000 Jobs: To Save Them, We Must Make A Choice By Ben Eltham on March 29, 2016 Environment ANALYSIS: New data showing the extent of coral bleaching reveals time is running out for one of Australia’s greatest natural resources.