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Australia's Great Barrier Reef could lose 95 percent of its living coral by 2050 should ocean temperatures increase by the 1.5 degrees Celsius projected by climate scientists.
While the Great Barrier Reef is one of the world's healthiest reefs, coral reefs are particularly fragile ecosystems, partly due to their sensitivity to water temperature. When corals are physiologically stressed -- as is the case when water temperatures are elevated -- they may lose much of the their symbiotic algae, an event known as "bleaching." Corals can recover from short-term bleaching, but prolonged bleaching can cause irreversible damage and subsequent death.
The Great Barrier Reef is shrinking, but it is unknown by how much. Climate scientists who subscribe to the theory of anthropogenic global warming (i.e. caused by man's activities) predict that the Great Barrier Reef may lose up to 95% of its coral by the middle of the current century. Although the coastline parallel to the Great Barrier Reef has been settled by Europeans for less then 200 years, these scientists believe that the Reef has been shrinking by 20% every 100 years.
Climate scientists who subscribe to the theory that global warming is cyclical perhaps have a less drastic view, as they believe that the coral will regenerate, as it has apparently done so in the past. It is a very emotive topic.
However, it should be noted that pollution and chemical runoff pose a very real threat to the reef. Mud and chemical runoff tend to limit the sunlight that reaches the coral, causing it to die off. Global warming issues aside, the Great Barrier Reef is most definitely shrinking.
Overfishing is threating the Great Barrier Reef. The polluted water, climate conditions, its damaged by shipping routes, and global warming are all effecting the Great Barrier Reef in dramatic ways. Pollution in things like boats are changing the reef because it is being damaged. :O
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What type of site is the Great Barrier Reef?
The Great Barrier Reef is a coral reef.
What is the proper name for the Great Barrier Reef?
The proper name for the Great Barrier Reef is simply "Great Barrier Reef".
Is Osprey Reef located on the Great Barrier Reef?
No. Although Osprey Reef is in the Coral Sea, where the Great Barrier Reef is located, it is actually separate from the Great Barrier Reef.
What is an example of an ecosystem in the Great Barrier Reef?
The Great Barrier Reef is a coral reef ecosystem.
Is the Great Barrier Reef the largest reef in the world?
The Great Barrier Reef is the largest reef system in the world.
How does the Great Barrier Reef meet criteria?
The great barrier reef is awesome
When was the Great Barrier Reef destroyed?
The Great Barrier Reef has not been destroyed
What is the largest coral reef in the world?
The Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest coral reef.
When did the Great Barrier Reef get it name?
The Great Barrier Reef was named by Matthew Flinders, the first explorer to circumnavigate the Australian continent.The Great Barrier Reef is a coral reef placed into the category of 'barrier reef'. This means that the reef is separated from the coastline due to the water's depth being too deep. The reef was given its name because of the following.Great: The Great Barrier Reef is a large and vast coral reef: at 2000km long, it is the largest coral reef in the world.Barrier: The Great Barrier Reef is a barrier reef. A barrier reef is one which runs parallel to the shore, separated by a channel of water.Reef: The Great Barrier Reef is a coral reef.
What is the Great Barrier Reef usually known as?
The Great Barrier Reef is always known as the Great Barrier Reef. It has no other name, although it may sometimes be shortened to just "the Reef".
What is on the Great Barrier Reef?
The Great Barrier Reef is off the Queensland coast in Australia.
Is snorkelling done at the Great Barrier Reef?
yes, it is done at the great barrier reef.
