Quck answer
The Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef system in the world, stretching over 2,300 kilometers along the northeast coast of Australia. It is home to an incredible diversity of marine life, including over 1,500 species of fish and 600 types of coral. The reef plays a crucial role in maintaining the health of the ocean and protecting coastlines from erosion. However, it is facing numerous threats, such as climate change, pollution, and overfishing, which are causing significant damage to the ecosystem. Efforts are being made to protect and restore the reef, but urgent action is needed to ensure its survival for future generations.
Have you ever been to Australia? No, we’re not talking about crawling under the kitchen table. We mean visiting Australia!
If you ever travel to Australia, you should definitely explore the Coral Sea. It’s located off the northeast coast of Queensland. Why? Because that’s where you’ll find the largest structure created by living organisms. It’s so massive that it can be seen from space. What are we referring to? The Great Barrier Reef, of course!
The Great Barrier Reef is the biggest coral reef system in the world. It consists of over 940 islands and 2,900 individual reefs. It spans 1,600 miles across an area of more than 133,000 square miles!
What is the composition of The Great Barrier Reef? It is constructed by countless tiny organisms known as coral polyps. This reef is one of the most extraordinary natural wonders globally. It was designated as a World Heritage Site in 1981.
It is home to a remarkable variety of marine life, including:
- Over 1,500 species of fish
- Over 400 species of hard coral
- One-third of the world’s soft corals
- Over 4,000 species of mollusks
- Over 130 species of sharks and rays
- Six different species of endangered marine turtles
- Over 30 species of marine mammals, including the endangered dugong (sea cow)
- Over 240 species of birds
Unfortunately, the well-being of the Great Barrier Reef is currently under threat from various factors. These include fishing practices, pollution, and increasing sea temperatures. These are significant challenges for the future of the Great Barrier Reef and the species that inhabit it.
Outbreaks of the crown-of-thorns starfish and agricultural runoff are also serious dangers. Despite efforts to mitigate the damage, scientists state that the Great Barrier Reef may have lost more than half of its coral coverage in the past 25 years.
Fortunately, a substantial portion of the Great Barrier Reef is protected from human impacts as part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. Scientists are continuously working on methods to preserve the health of the Great Barrier Reef. It remains one of the most intricate natural ecosystems on Earth.
Have you ever visited the Great Barrier Reef? Would you like to? Do you have any ideas on how to save the reef? This vast habitat needs your assistance! Protecting the Great Barrier Reef requires efforts from people all around the world.
Give It a Try
Make sure an adult friend or family member assists you with the activities below.
- Isn’t it amazing to be able to see the Great Barrier Reef? If you’re unable to travel to Australia in the near future, you can still admire the beauty of the Great Barrier Reef through pictures. Would you like to explore the Great Barrier Reef someday? Discuss it with a friend or family member.
- In today’s Wonder, we discovered that there are various factors that pose a threat to the health of coral reefs. Take a look at this story about underwater robots that are working to restore coral reefs. Can you come up with any ideas to help restore marine life? Have a fun brainstorming session with your friends or family members and share your favorite ideas with us in the comments section. Alternatively, you can draw a picture of your best ideas and upload them to social media. Don’t forget to tag us on Twitter or Instagram!
- The Great Barrier Reef is renowned worldwide for its beauty. However, beautiful sights can be found anywhere! Imagine that you’ve encountered a tourist in your area. What attractions must they see? Create a travel brochure that highlights the most stunning places in your region.
Wonder Sources
- http://www.greatbarrierreef.org/ (accessed 06 May 2020)
- http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/154 (accessed 06 May 2020)
- http://www.wwf.org.au/our_work/saving_the_natural_world/oceans_and_marine/priority_ocean_places/great_barrier_reef/ (accessed 06 May 2020)
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Barrier_Reef (accessed 06 May 2020)
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