What Is a Coral Reef?

- An underwater ecosystem made of colonies of tiny animals called coral polyps, which build hard skeletons that form huge underwater structures

- They provide habitat for many marine species

- Found in warm, shallow ocean waters around the world

What is The Great Barrier Reef?

- Located off the northeast coast of Australia

- Largest coral reef system on Earth

- It’s made up of over 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands

- It stretches more than 2,300 kilometers 

(1,400 miles)

- can even be seen from space!   

Why is it Important?

- One of the most biodiverse ecosystems on Earth

- Home to thousands of marine species

- Helps protect Australia’s coastlines from waves and erosion

- Helps absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, which is essential for mitigating climate change

Different types of  global warming effects

    Coral bleaching

The vibrant colors of the Great Barrier Reef are primarily caused by zooxanthellae, microscopic algae that live inside the coral polyps and have a symbiotic relationship with them.. Coral bleaching is when the algae reveals their skeletons due to waters becoming warmer.

Ocean Acidification

Absorbing carbon dioxide causes water to become more acidic. Corals are less able to build skeletons and form their reefs. Variations in CO2 are due to biological activity, oceanographic processes and what comes down the rivers

Overfishing

Disturbs the food web and chases off fish that help the ecosystem. Causes new predators to be able to swoop in like the crown of thorn starfish which are the coral's natural predator.

Rising sea temperatures

Caused by the increase of carbon dioxide from burning fossil fuels traps heat in the atmosphere. Rising sea surface temperatures are affecting most aspects of the Great Barrier Reef, as sea temperature influences the distribution, survival, reproduction, growth, physiology and productivity of marine organisms.

Time Line of Negative Effects