Greta Jimenez
The Great Barrier Reef, a natural wonder and UNESCO World Heritage Area, is under threat from climate change, rising temperatures, and human interference. Water pollution is a significant issue, with agricultural runoff, including excess fertiliser and pesticides, smothering coral and seagrass beds and blocking sunlight. Tree clearing and overgrazing cause soil erosion, washing sediment into rivers that flow into the reef, further damaging coral and marine life. Queensland's development and extreme weather events, such as floods and cyclones, also contribute to the pollution, highlighting the urgent need for action to protect this precious ecosystem.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Water pollution | Pesticides, herbicides, inorganic nitrogen, silt, clay, and other pollutants |
| Climate change | Rising sea temperatures and ocean acidification |
| Human interference | Tree clearing, overgrazing, development along the coast, unsustainable fishing practices, ship traffic, and noise pollution |
| Agricultural practices | Excessive use of fertilisers and pesticides, sugarcane and grazing |
| Erosion | Loss of tree roots and overgrazing leading to soil erosion and increased sediment in rivers |
| Crown-of-Thorns Starfish | Invasive species promoted by nutrient runoff, causing damage to coral reefs |
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What You'll Learn
Farming run-off, including pesticides, herbicides, and fertilisers
The Great Barrier Reef, a natural wonder and a UNESCO World Heritage Area, is under threat from climate change, rising temperatures, and human interference. One of the key drivers of the Great Barrier Reef's decline is pollution from farming run-off, which includes pesticides, herbicides, and fertilisers.
Agricultural activities have significantly impacted the reef, with pollutants from farms and grazing lands washing into nearby creeks and rivers, and ultimately, the ocean. This runoff contains excess nutrients, dissolved pesticides, and herbicides that pose a severe risk to the delicate ecosystem of the reef. The excessive use of fertilisers on crops, such as sugarcane, leads to nitrogen-rich runoff that fuels harmful algal blooms. These blooms block sunlight, reducing the resilience of corals to bleaching and decreasing coral diversity. Additionally, pesticides and herbicides have been detected in high concentrations in inshore areas, further threatening marine plants and animals.
Herbicides, designed to inhibit the growth of weeds, also impact non-target plants like seagrasses when washed into the reef. This, in turn, affects the dugongs, turtles, and fish that depend on these seagrasses. The clearing of trees and overgrazing of grasslands contribute to soil erosion, with an estimated 17 million tonnes of sediment washing into rivers and eventually smothering corals and seagrass beds. This sedimentation runoff reduces water clarity, hindering photosynthesis and coral growth.
To address these issues, the Queensland government passed a bill in 2019 to improve water quality flowing into the reef from agricultural properties. The regulations target practices that pose the greatest risk to water quality, such as the overuse of fertilisers. Additionally, water quality monitoring programs and guidelines have been established to support reef resilience and improve farming practices. These guidelines set limits for specific pollutants, including sediments, nutrients, and pesticides, to protect the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.
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Climate change and extreme weather
Climate change is the greatest threat to the Great Barrier Reef, with rising temperatures and human interference endangering its survival. The ocean absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, which decreases its pH level—this process is known as ocean acidification. Since the late 18th century, the ocean has absorbed about 30% of the carbon humans have generated, making it more acidic. As a result, corals are less able to build skeletons and form coral reefs, which is a concern as coral reefs help protect coastlines from storms and provide habitats for thousands of species of marine life.
Climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of severe weather events, with the Great Barrier Reef experiencing four unprecedented mass coral bleaching events between 2016 and 2022, triggered by marine heatwaves. Extreme temperatures in 2016 killed approximately 30% of the Reef's shallow-water corals. While coral reefs can recover from bleaching over time, this is only if temperatures drop and conditions return to normal. The window for recovery is shrinking due to the increasing frequency of disturbances, and the loss of potential ecosystem refuges.
The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) has released a position statement on climate change, emphasizing the urgent need for action. The Reef 2050 Long-Term Sustainability Plan (Reef 2050 Plan) was released in 2015 as the overarching Australian and Queensland government action plan to protect and manage the Great Barrier Reef. It was updated in 2018 to include additional actions focused on adapting to a variable and changing climate.
To address the impact of climate change on the Great Barrier Reef, urgent global action is required to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions. While emission reduction alone may not be enough to guarantee the survival of coral reefs, it is crucial to simultaneously help coral reefs adapt to the warmer temperatures already caused by climate change. This can be achieved by developing and scaling up interventions that provide time for coral reefs to adjust. Additionally, it is important to strengthen key ecosystems like seagrass meadows, mangroves, and wetlands, which play a key role in combating climate change by absorbing and storing carbon.
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Human interference and development
One significant issue is water pollution caused by agricultural practices. Excessive fertiliser and pesticide use in agriculture can lead to runoff, with pollutants washing into rivers and eventually reaching the Reef. This pollution reduces water quality and harms the delicate reef ecosystem. Queensland's farmers have been working to reduce their environmental impact, but more needs to be done to address the overuse of fertiliser and pesticides.
Another consequence of human development is soil erosion. Tree clearing and overgrazing have led to increased soil erosion, with an estimated 17 million tonnes of sediment washing into rivers and smothering coral and seagrass growth. This sedimentation reduces water clarity and restricts the growth of light-dependent organisms, further damaging the Reef.
Additionally, as Queensland's population grows, so does the development along the coast and adjacent islands. This development puts pressure on the Reef and increases the risk of pollution. Climate change, rising temperatures, and unsustainable fishing practices also contribute to the decline of the Reef.
To protect the Great Barrier Reef, it is crucial to address these human-induced issues. This includes implementing better land management practices, reducing fertiliser and pesticide use, and enforcing stricter environmental regulations. By tackling these challenges, we can help ensure the survival of this natural wonder for future generations.
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Plastic and ship pollution
The Great Barrier Reef, a natural wonder and UNESCO World Heritage Area, is under threat from plastic and ship pollution. Located off the coast of Queensland, the reef is vulnerable to various forms of pollution that endanger its delicate ecosystem.
Plastic pollution is a significant issue for the Great Barrier Reef. Plastic debris, including microplastics and discarded items, litters the reef, endangering wildlife and habitats. Unlike organic materials, plastic does not break down naturally. Instead, it breaks into smaller pieces, eventually becoming marine plastic pollution. These microplastics can have toxic effects on animals when ingested, and their presence detracts from the beauty of the reef. The Australian Senate Report of 2016 referred to this issue as a "Toxic Tide". The impact of plastic pollution is not limited to the reef itself but also affects human health and contributes to emissions throughout its lifecycle.
Billions of pieces of plastic waste enter the Great Barrier Reef each year, threatening iconic species such as turtles, dugongs, dolphins, and seabirds. This plastic pollution originates from single-use plastic items that end up in the ocean through gutters, storm drains, and rivers. To combat this issue, individuals can reduce their plastic consumption, reuse and recycle plastic products, and participate in beach clean-up efforts.
Ship pollution is another concern for the Great Barrier Reef. Ship traffic contributes to noise pollution and poses a risk of animal collisions. Additionally, unsustainable fishing practices, such as the use of gill nets, entrap and drown animals. To protect the reef, the Australian and Queensland governments have committed to banning commercial gill net fishing by 2027.
The impact of plastic and ship pollution on the Great Barrier Reef highlights the importance of collective action. By addressing these issues, we can help preserve the reef's delicate ecosystem and protect the diverse marine life that depends on it.
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Crown-of-Thorns Starfish
COTS occur naturally on the Great Barrier Reef and outbreaks of COTS are a complex ecological problem. Outbreaks generally start offshore from Cairns or further north and take about a decade to spread south along the reef. During an outbreak, which is when 15 or more COTS are found in a one-hectare area, they can strip a reef of up to 90% of its living coral tissue. Since 1962, COTS outbreaks have been a major source of coral loss on the Great Barrier Reef, causing extensive loss of reef-building corals.
The frequency of COTS outbreaks is increasing due to climate change and other human activities. As a result, the time between reef disturbances is becoming shorter, leaving less time for the reef to recover. Scientists and managers are working together to understand outbreaks and develop new ways to control them. One method is individual culling, where trained divers inject the starfish with bile salts or vinegar. This kills the starfish without harming the surrounding ecosystem.
The nutrients from farming runoff promote the breeding success of COTS, leading to population explosions. This, in turn, makes the coral more vulnerable to bleaching. COTS outbreaks cause widespread damage to the Great Barrier Reef, including loss of coral cover and a decline in biodiversity.
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Frequently asked questions
Climate change is the biggest threat to the Great Barrier Reef, with rising sea temperatures and ocean acidification damaging the reef.
Climate change is predicted to increase the frequency and intensity of rainfall, causing higher levels of pollutants to enter the reef.
The main sources of pollution in the Great Barrier Reef are agricultural runoff, tree clearing and overgrazing, as well as development along the coast and islands adjacent to the reef.
Excessive fertiliser and pesticides used in agriculture can wash into rivers and waterways, ultimately flowing out to the Great Barrier Reef. Nitrogen from fertilisers is linked to harmful algal blooms, which block sunlight and reduce coral resilience.
Tree clearing and overgrazing cause soils to erode, washing sediment into creeks and rivers that flow into the Great Barrier Reef. This sediment smothers coral and seagrass growth, reducing their resilience and driving population explosions of invasive starfish.
