Protecting_the_Great_Barrier_Reef

The Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Australia is not only a natural wonder, but a diverse ecosystem that supports thousands of different plant and animal species. According to marine biologist Robin Aiello, “There are more different species of animals and plants in a cubic meter of the Great Barrier Reef, than in any other environment in the world, including tropical rainforests” (gbrmpa, 2010). The Great Barrier Reef is in need of help from the very people who are destroying it. If we do not continue to protect and stop the damage we are doing to the environment, we will lose an important ecosystem. The ramifications could affect every living creature, including humans. Why is the Great Barrier Reef an important ecosystem in desperate need of protection' The reef supports a diverse plant and animal life where if one species is harmed it affects the whole balance of the ecosystem. There are more than 1500 species of fish, which is at least 10% of the world’s fish population, 360 hard coral species, 4,000 mollusk species, and more than 4,000 species of sponges (UNESCO, 2010). Plant life is also diverse in this fragile ecosystem. There is 629 species of seaweed, which contain many substances useful to humans and provide many other species with food and shelter. Birds, sharks, rays, and dugongs also call the reef home and many are protected species (gbrmpa, 2010). We have already begun to protect some species in the reefs ecosystem. Six of the world’s seven types of sea turtles either live, feed, or breed here. Many are protected because of the threat of extinction (gbrmpa, 2010). Logger head turtles and humpback whales breed and nest at the Great Barrier Reef. Extinction would not be far off if we allowed their breeding grounds to be destroyed. It is important to note that not only does the reef support these diverse animals and plants, but it supports humans as well. According to the Great Barrier Reef Foundation, the reef generates about 63,000 jobs in the tourist industry to support the one million visitors each year. This adds over six billion annually to the Australian economy. Loss of the reef will have devastating effects on Australia’s economy and quality of life for many people. We still are not fully aware of the potential impact losing the Great Barrier Reef will have. We already know it will interfere with reproduction cycles of animals which could lead to extinction, cause costal damage, destroy food supplies for animals and humans, and impact the economy of Australia and others. Why protect the entire reef system and not just endangered species that live there' Every species has a special relationship with each other, so just protecting one and not the entire reef affects everything in that ecosystem. Mutualism among sea life on the reef is abundant, many organisms benefit from one another, but more important, many species rely on each other for their survival (Queensland Museum, 2010). The fishing industry depends on coral reefs because many fish spawn at the reef and the juvenile fish rely on the reef before heading out to sea. Over 9% of fish are directly dependent on the coral for food, habitat, or both (Queensland Museum, 2010). Corals, in return provide food and shelter for many in habitants, not just fish. The first step to understanding how to protect the reef is to understand what is causing the damage. Humans are causing the most damage to reef because of pollution, commercial fishing, and tourism. As we continually pollute our air and water, we cause climate changes that affect our oceans and their unique ecosystems. As gases, mainly carbon dioxide, are released into the earth’s atmosphere, it traps some of the sun’s energy that would have radiated back into space. This increases the temperature on earth along with elevating the oceans temperature. Corals are very delicate animals not adapted to tolerate the rise in the oceans temperature. Even a slight increase of just a few degrees can cause massive coral bleaching. As temperatures rise, corals become stressed tiny algae (called zooxanthellae) that live inside the coral and provide them with food, move out. Zooxanthellae also provides coral with color, so when they move out, the coral bleaches. If this all important algae move out for long periods the coral will die. The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority reports that this type of damage could take decades to recover. In just the last 30 years there have been eight coral bleaching events at the Great Barrier Reef. Over 30% of harmful CO2 gases are absorbed by the ocean, but they might be reaching their saturation point (gbrmpa, 2010). Absorbing this gas increases acidity in the ocean, which decreases the concentration of calcium carbonate in the water. This is what forms the coral structures and many of the shells of marine species. Water quality is also affected by runoff water and materials from our land masses. As humans use more chemicals, such as fertilizer, these chemicals make their way to our oceans. Fertilizer encourages algae and other plants to grow on the coral that eventually suffocates them. Mercury from runoff has already had an effect on many fish species. Pregnant women are advised to avoid eating tuna because of the high mercury concentration in them. There are other species that have rising levels of mercury in their systems also. Rick Forsman, of the University of Colorado at Denver Health and Science Center, stated in a 2005 lecture, Life and Death on the Coral Reef, “Even if we don’t deplete our oceans of fish through environmental destruction, we could eventually be at a point where fish will no longer be a viable food source.” Even though commercial fishing is an important part of many economies, current laws are not protecting the reefs or wildlife throughout the ocean. Un-stainable fishing and harvesting practices, anchor damage, and deep sea dredging and trawling all have an adverse effect on the Great Barrier Reef. Loss of fish species on the reef will result in the reefs inability to recover from major events such as coral bleaching. Tourism, although necessary, can be very damaging to the reef and its inhabitants. Tourism allows visitors to become educated about the reef, brings money to economy, but strict laws, monitoring, and awareness is needed to protect the reef. Tourist can cause damage and even death to the corals. People have been known to touch or even break off pieces of coral as a souvenir, not realizing they are living creatures. Individuals need to be educated about their carbon footprint and how it impacts earth. Each person who commits to the philosophy of reduce, reuse, and recycle can make a positive impact on every ecosystem. As each individual reduces the amount of pollution they create they are helping to slow global warming, which will slow the rise in temperature of the ocean. It is clear that most of the threats to the Great Barrier Reef are caused by ignorance. We know very little about marine ecosystems and how they function, nor do we know everything there is to know about the inhabitants of our vast oceans. Scientists believe there are many more species that we have yet to discover, but if we don’t act now to protect this fragile ecosystem, we could unknowingly cause the extinction of hundreds of species. Currently the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority is working to ensure that the reef stays healthy and can withstand environmental issues beyond its control. Improving the quality of water that flows from rivers and streams, marine park zoning designed to protect the diversity of the reef, and providing research that can help predict, monitor, and slow coral bleaching are some of the main focuses for the park authority. The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority oversees the protection of the reef and its inhabitants. They work with local communities, governments, commercial fishing, and tourism guides to ensure that the current laws and monitoring of the reef are being followed. Currently there are laws protecting the reef from overfishing, irresponsible tourism, pollution dumping, and protection of many species that inhabit the reef. They are also leading the way in research to find the best ways to protect the reef, but they also focus on the bio-chemical diversity of the reef and its possible benefits to mankind. Sea sponges are one of the earliest inhabitants of reefs. They help clean the reef and ocean, but modern science is finding that the chemicals extracted from sponges could have the potential to combat health issues that humans face. According to Dr. John Hooper, head of Biodiversity and Geosciences at the Queensland Museum, chemicals extracted from sponges could have the potential to combat different cancers, treat inflammatory and cardiovascular diseases, reduce the progression of osteoporosis, and prevent or treat stomach ulcers and cancer. If we don’t continue to find funding to support the research and protection of the reef we are in danger of losing a very important ecosystem that will have negative effects for plants, animals, and humans. If our environment continues to change rapidly, there are two possibilities that we could experience. Some species may not have the characteristics to allow them to survive so they will become extinct. With them goes the opportunity to research how their bio-chemicals might be able to cure different diseases. Life on earth depends on maximal genetic diversity. Organisms like bacteria can evolve more quickly than highly complex organisms, such as humans. It’s predicted that temperatures in Australia will increase by at least one to six degrees by 2070; historically similar changes would have taken thousands of years (gbrmpa, 2010). It’s necessary to protect our reef now, so that it stays healthy, and possibly be able to adapt to the climate change that we may not have much control over. References Carter, H. (2009). Disease Strikes Great Barrier Reef. Retrieved March 24, 2010, from www.dsc.discovery.com Forsman, R., (2005). Life & Death on the Coral Reef. Journal of the Medical Library Association. Retrieved March 30, 2010 from www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov Great Barrier Reef Foundation. (2009). The Reef and Climate Change. Retrieved March 22, 2010, from www.barrierreef.org Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority. (2009). Great Barrier Reef Outlook Report 2009. Retrieved March 24, 2010, from www.gbrmpa.gov.au Queensland Museum. (2010). Biodiscovery and the Great Barrier Reef. Retrieved March 30, 2009, from www.qm.qld.gov World Heritage (2010). Great Barrier Reef. Retrieved March 22, 2010, from www.UNESCO.org