The Great Barrier Reef

Research Paper # 101888

Environmental Studies > Environmental Problems
Environmental Studies > Wildlife Protection

An analysis of twenty first century threats facing the Great Barrier Reef.

1,846 words () | 9 sources | MLA | 2007 Australia

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses how Queensland's Great Barrier Reef is an invaluable Australian region that is confronted with many threats. It focuses on two specific issues: the crown of thorns starfish (COTS) population levels and the problems associated with shipping - specifically the introduction of foreign marine species. For each issue, the nature and the history of the problem are explained, as are the management methods currently being implemented. New approaches are suggested and analyzed in light of their potential advantages and disadvantages, so that policy makers may come to the best decisions regarding the protection of this exceptional region, now and into the future.

Outline:
The Reef's Value and the Threat it Faces
Crown of Thorns Starfish: Framing the Problem
Solutions Past and Present
Looking Forward
Shipping's Importance
Species Introduction: The Flaws in the Solutions
Inhibiting Pests in the Future
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"The crown of thorns starfish is a natural component of the GBR. Since COTS are consumers of coral, however, they pose a direct threat to the wellbeing of the reef. This is because their populations frequently become too large, meaning coral is consumed faster than it can grow (GBRMPA 2004). At present, the question remains as to whether outbreak frequency, intensity and range are in fact increasing (see Fig.1 and Fig. 2), possibly due to human activity (GBRMPA 2004). If so, it is likely that overall abundance and diversity of GBR corals is decreasing, a worrying prospect for the region - especially if reef recovery is also hampered by factors such as coral bleaching and poor water quality. "

Sample of Sources Used:

Aston, J. 2006, 'Shipping and Oil Spills' in Chin. A (ed) The State of the Great Barrier Reef Online, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, Townsville. Available: http://www.gbrmpa.gov.au/corp_site/publications/sotr/shipping [18th August 2007].
Australian Institute of Marine Science 1997, Crown of Thorns Starfish Report, [Online], Available: http://www.aims.gov.au/pages/reflib/cot-starfish/pages/cot.html [18th August 2007].
CSIRO Research, Introduced Marine Pests, [Online], Available: http://www.marine.csiro.au/crimp/ [19th August 2007].
De'ath, G., Fabricius, K., Okaji, K., Brodie, J. and Day, K. 2004, 'Increased chlorophyll levels lead to increased frequency and severity of outbreaks of the crown-of-thorns starfish on the Great Barrier Reef', in Haynes D and Schaffelke B (eds), 2004, Catchment to reef, water quality issues in the Great Barrier Reef Region, 9-11 March 2004, Townsville. Conference Abstracts. CRC Reef Research Centre Technical Report No. 53. CRC Reef Research Centre, Townsville.
Department of the Environment and Water Resources 2007, Antifouling Program, [Online], Available: http://www.environment.gov.au/coasts/pollution/antifouling/index.html [21st August 2007].