The Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest coral reef system composed of over 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands stretching for over 2,300 kilometres over an area of approximately 344,400 square kilometres. The reef is located in the Coral Sea, off the coast of Queensland, Australia.

What's inside the Great Barrier Reef?

The Great Barrier Reef consists of about 3,000 individual reefs of coral, and the biodiversity they contain is remarkable. There are animals you would probably recognize, such as dolphins, turtles, crocodiles, and sharks. There are also venomous sea snakes, brightly colored worms, and large algae.

What are 5 facts about the Great Barrier Reef?

11 Amazing Facts About The Great Barrier Reef!

• It is the world's largest reef system. ...
• It is home to an incredible diversity of species. ...
• Corals are alive. ...
• The reef is further out than you may think. ...
• The threats to the reef are numerous. ...
• A bleached reef isn't always a dead reef. ...
• There is hope for the reef's return.

What is special about the Great Barrier Reef?

The Great Barrier Reef is unique as it extends over 14 degrees of latitude, from shallow estuarine areas to deep oceanic waters. Within this vast expanse are a unique range of ecological communities, habitats and species – all of which make the Reef one of the most complex natural ecosystems in the world.

What is the Great Barrier Reef and why is it important?

Made up of 3,000 individual reefs, it protects our coastlines and is home to thousands of species of marine life including fish, whales, dolphins and six of the world's seven species of marine turtle. The Great Barrier Reef is also one of the largest carbon sinks in the world.

Great Barrier Reef | Exploring Oceans

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What will happen if the Great Barrier Reef dies?

Developing countries and small island countries like Tuvalu will be most affected by such drastic shifts. Coral reefs provide protection against flooding and the erosion of coastlines. With them gone, there will be rapid erosion of coastlines and many small island countries might even vanish from the world map.

Why is the Great Barrier Reef so famous?

The Great Barrier Reef was the first coral reef system to be awarded World Heritage status, meeting all four of the natural criteria for a World Heritage listing. The reef is the world's largest living structure; so large, in fact, that it can be seen from space!

What are 10 facts about the Great Barrier Reef?

10 incredible facts about the Great Barrier Reef

• It's the only place on earth where two UNESCO World Heritage Sites meet. ...
• It's bigger than Tasmania and Victoria, combined. ...
• You'll find a third of the world's coral here. ...
• And it's home to nearly 5,000 marine and mammal species. ...
• You can volunteer on the Great Barrier Reef.

How do we benefit from the Great Barrier Reef?

The Great Barrier Reef plays an important role in community life. Traditional Owners have long highlighted the benefits their communities derive from the Reef environment, including through cultural connections to sea country, access to the Reef's resources, employment and improved health outcomes. ...

Why is the Great Barrier Reef valuable?

“ The Great Barrier Reef has a economic, social and icon asset value of $56 billion. It supports 64,000 jobs and contributes $6.4 billion to the Australian economy. ... It is integral to the identity of Australia's Traditional Owners.

What lives in the Great Barrier Reef kids?

The Great Barrier Reef is home to a wide range of life, including fish, sea turtles, giant clam, seahorse, sea snakes, nudibranch, sea turtles, stingray, sharks and many more. Over 1500 different species of fish live in the Great Barrier Reef, including clownfish, star of the animated film Finding Nemo.

What is Barrier Reef for kids?

A barrier reef is a long, narrow coral formation that lies parallel to the shoreline of a landmass and is mostly underwater. The Great Barrier Reef is in the Coral Sea, off the northeastern coast of Australia. It extends 1,250 miles (2,000 kilometers) from north to south.

Why is the Great Barrier Reef in danger?

Climate change is the largest threat to the reef, because it affects the following: Ocean acidification: Since the 1700s, about 30 percent of the extra carbon dioxide that humans have pumped into the atmosphere has been absorbed by the oceans.

Can u swim in the Great Barrier Reef?

A: It is safe to swim all year round in Cairns, Port Douglas and the Great Barrier Reef but it is highly recommended that you wear a lycra suit when entering the water in the warmer months of November-April. ... The patrolled beaches are Holloways Beach, Yorkeys Knob, Trinity Beach, Palm Cove and Port Douglas.

What ocean is the Great Barrier Reef in?

The reef is located off the coast of Queensland, Australia, in the Coral Sea.

What is coral made of?

Most structures that we call "coral" are, in fact, made up of hundreds to thousands of tiny coral creatures called polyps. Each soft-bodied polyp—most no thicker than a nickel—secretes a hard outer skeleton of limestone (calcium carbonate) that attaches either to rock or the dead skeletons of other polyps.

What activities can you do at the Great Barrier Reef?

Top 5 Things to Do in the Great Barrier Reef

• Snorkelling. Get up close and personal with the creatures and learn more about the ecosystem of this incredible natural hotspot. ...
• Scuba Diving. If you're after something a little more exciting, why not try scuba diving? ...
• Visit Green Island. ...
• Helicopter Flight. ...
• Whitehaven Beach.

What resources does the Great Barrier Reef provide?

The Great Barrier Reef's biodiversity

Maintaining a healthy and diverse Great Barrier Reef ecosystem is important so it is better able to withstand, recover and adapt to impacts and stress. A productive and healthy Reef environment provides essential resources such as fish and prawns and supports many industries.

What is the biggest threat to Great Barrier Reef?

Climate change is the greatest threat to the Great Barrier Reef, threatening its very existence.

• Water quality. Increasing sediment, nutrients and contaminants, combined with rising sea temperatures and ocean acidification are damaging the Reef.
• Crown of Thorns Starfish. ...
• Coastal development.

What can kids do in the Great Barrier Reef?

Stay dry by taking a glass-bottomed boat tour or a spin in the semi-submersible, or for a first time introduction, kids can hop in the fully enclosed ocean pool. Guided snorkelling safaris will suit experienced snorkellers and for daredevils, take a slide down the only waterslide found in the Great Barrier Reef.

Why is the Great Barrier Reef special for kids?

The Great Barrier reef is the largest reef in the world. The Great Barrier Reef is larger than the entire country of Italy put together. ... Recycling is a great way to help places like the Great Barrier Reef stay beautiful and its fish stay healthy. Over 1500 kinds of fish live in the Great Barrier reef.

Why is the Great Barrier Reef beautiful?

One of the world's most incredible natural phenomena, the Great Barrier Reef is a diverse marine wonderland and the largest living structure on earth. Comprising beautiful coral reefs, unspoiled islands and sandy corals cays, it provides protective homes for thousands of sea creatures.

How does tourism harm the Great Barrier Reef?

How Tourism Threatens Corals. When tourists accidently touch, pollute or break off parts of the reef, corals experience stress. The coral organisms try to fight off the intrusion, but this process often leads to coral bleaching—when corals expel the brightly colored algae that live in them and become completely white.

How polluted is the Great Barrier Reef?

The Reef is highly vulnerable. In the past three decades, it has lost half its coral cover, pollution has caused deadly starfish outbreaks, and global warming has produced horrific coral bleaching. Coastal development also looms as a major threat.

Do coral reefs produce oxygen?

Just like plants, providing oxygen for our earth, corals do the same. Typically, deep oceans do not have a lot of plants producing oxygen, so coral reefs produce much needed oxygen for the oceans to keep many species that live in the oceans alive.