EOTP Great Barrier Reef Threats & Management

threat

facts

explanation

scale

climate change

2 - 3 degrees of warming could bleach 97% of corals

coral bleaching → impacts on the rest of the food chain and ecosystem, etc

stressed polyps expel algae

global

storm runoff

urbanised drainage basins cause litter and fertiliser to be washed into the reef

→ entanglement

→ smothering coral

national

crown of thorn starfish

15 COTS in 1 hectare can remove 90% of living tissue

feed off algae which forms due to fertilisers

→ kill/eat the corals

national/local

over-tourism

2 million international visitors / year

water pollution, noise pollution

tourists colliding with the reef

chemicals in sunscreen can kill corals

local

management strategy

helps with

explanation

scale

positives

negatives

changing farming practices

storm runoff

sediment traps to catch runoff

plant soya beans in river systems → absorb water so less runoff

over 50% of farmers have adopted new techniques

widespread take up

improved water quality everywhere

no major construction → cheap and emissions

not 100% effective

sediment traps need emptying → time and money

starfish terminator

COTS

kills 200,000 COTS per year

limited because it’s expensive

quicker than humans

over 99% accurate

still millions remaining

very expensive

terminator struggles in some areas → humans still need to dive too

tourism restrictions/guidelines

over-tourism

limits group and vessel size

monitoring of divers

ecotourism certification

over the whole reef however can’t catch all illegal activity over the whole reef

protects wildlife and reduces stress

educate the public

less damage

expensive and hard to enforce

less money in tourism

accidents can happen → not fool proof