Improvements

IMPROVEMENTS

Although the Great Barrier Reef is far from its pristine state, several measures have been taken to ensure that the reef is not further damaged by human activities and impact. For example, the Australian government recently instituted a ban on the dumping of sediments into the reef, which will greatly improve the water quality of the reef. (13). In addition to the new legislation, the government has also implemented several programs such as the Dugong and Turtle Protection Plan, aimed at protecting the reef’s rare mammal and turtles. (5)

Saving the Reef, one person at a time
Source: http://ocean.si.edu/ocean-news/reef-rescue-protect-coral-reefs-your-actions

On a local level, farmers have taken the initiative to reduce pollution that would otherwise become runoff. (19). While most of these efforts described above require large scale planning and detailed executions, making a positive impact on the reef does not have to be a difficult or challenging task. Simple acts of awareness such as not touching the coral and being educated about the reef’s current status are all positive impacts that are made everyday.  

Save the Reef
Source: https://www.getup.org.au/campaigns/great-barrier-reef--3/save-the-reef/save-the-reef

Future Prospects

FUTURE PROSPECTS

The Great Barrier Reef is expected to continue shrinking in size due to a variety of factors such as predation, ocean acidification, and natural disasters. Of these factors, natural disasters and predation is responsible for the most reef cover loss. Damage caused by cyclones and predation by Thorn-of-Crown starfish account for 48 and 42 percent of reef loss in the last 27 years. (4). While cyclones seem to be responsible for the most damage, its causes and whether or not its intensity is increasing is still debatable. Predation by the Crown-of-Thorns starfish, however, is well observed and can be attributed to a rise in phytoplankton availability. The sudden explosion in the availability of phytoplankton is a direct result of runoff, which provide the necessary nutrient for the starfish larvae. 

Future of the Reef
Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-10-08/mass-coral-bleaching-predicted-to-occur-in-2016/6838580

Human Impact Pt 6

Finally, the last main human impact on the Great Barrier Reef is oil pollution. The biggest factor of how much the coral is impacted is the length of exposure where the longer the coral is exposed, there is a greater risk that the corals may die. The recovery time depends on the intensity and type of disturbances. Direct contact to oil can lead to reduced photosynthesis, growth, or reproduction and can sometimes even lead to coral death (17). One of the largest occurrence of oil pollution was in 2010 when the Chinese coal-carrying ship, Shen Neng1, leaked about a two mile long ribbon of oil (21). 

Oil Pollution
Source: https://www.amsa.gov.au/environment/major-historical-incidents/images/GlobalPeace2.jpg

Human Impact Pt 5

The next human impact on the Great Barrier Reef is tourism. Approximately two million people visit the reef each year. This intense tourism is harming the fragile reef and its delicately constructed ecosystem (21). This is because the reef can be damaged by reef walking, dropped anchors, and the pollution from boats’ fuel. It is even affected by the sweat and suntan lotion from the tourists (2).

Tourism
Source: http://dreams.efusionerp.com/login/user%20files/dreams/great-barrier-reef-yacht-snorkelling-tq.jpg

Human Impact Pt 4

Coral bleaching, when corals expel the symbiotic algae, zooxanthellae, due to changes in the environment, is another human impact that is threatening the Great Barrier Reef. It is caused by ocean temperatures above 91℉, runoff and pollution, overexposure to sunlight, and extreme low tides. The previously stated events cause the coral to be stressed and turn completely white as the algae that causes its color leaves. If the bleaching is not severe, some coral can recover and reproduce more zooxanthellae; however, if the amount of algae lost is too high or the time it’s gone is too long, the coral is more susceptible to diseases or even death (14). As we experience increased climate change, coral bleaching is only getting worse. There has been two mass bleaching events in the Great Barrier Reef. The first was in 1988 where 50% of all reefs in the world suffered bleaching due to the highest sea temperatures that has ever been recorded. The second was in 2002 where 60% of the reefs were affected. After both these events, 5% of the corals reefs in the Great Barrier Reef was severely damaged (8). 

Bleached Coral
Source: http://climatecommission.angrygoats.net/wp-content/uploads/Coral-reefs.jpg

Coral Bleaching Process
Source: http://www.gbrmpa.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0017/10556/What-is-coral-beaching_with-photos_v1-02.jpg

Human Impact Pt 3

The next human impact to greatly endanger the Great Barrier Reef is sediment runoff. During tropical floods, runoff with fertilizer and pesticides goes into the water and cause declining water quality. This poor water quality harms the delicately balanced reef and the organisms that inhabit it. Sediment runoff was also made worse due to the loss of coastal wetlands along the Queensland coast because the wetlands are supposed to act as a natural filter for toxins. According to the Great Barrier Reef Coastal Wetlands Protection Program, this area has decreased by 50% (21). This decrease in wetlands can be explained by the increase in grazing and expansions of cropping in the area, which has also caused a decrease in native vegetation (19). 

Sediment Runoff
Source: http://www.environment.gov.au/system/files/pages/d1df7150-79e3-4fb5-86d3-cccde89ac61d/images/mar-box6-10-floodplume.jpg

Human Impact Pt 2

The second method is dynamite fishing where fishermen light dynamite, place it in the water, and cause an explosion with a medium process that is also meant to stun the fish.The explosions turn what used to be part of a coral reef into sandy rubble, causing slow or little recovery because it is hard for the coral to continue growing on loose sand instead of the live coral cover (6).

Dynamite Fishing
Source: http://www.tacticalfanboy.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/dynamite-fishing-in-Tanzania.jpg