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This is difficult to determine.

Although the coastline parallel to the Great Barrier Reef has been settled by Europeans for less then 200 years, climate scientists believe that the Reef has been shrinking by 20% every 100 years.

On the other hand, there is evidence that the Great Barrier Reef undergoes a regular, natural cycle of dying off and regeneration. Researchers have discovered that coral reefs that have died off due to warming sea temperatures in Northern Queensland have regenerated within just twelve years.

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Q: When did the Great Barrier Reef start to die?
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What happens when polyps die?

They will destroy the Great Barrier Reef and all of them will start to die.


Can people die at the Great Barrier Reef?

After my research, the answer to this question is yes. You can die at the Great Barrier Reef by drowning.


What happens when coral polyps die?

They will destroy the Great Barrier Reef and all of them will start to die.


Why is the Great Barrier Reef still growing?

Because the animals there continue to live, grow, and die, increasing the size of the reef.


How long has Great Barrier Reef lasted?

That depends upon how quickly mankind destroys it. If it is maintained and protected it could last indefinitely.


Is the Great Barrier Reef at risk of being damaged?

Yes. Pollution and chemical runoff pose a very real threat to the reef. The water quality of the reef is affected by sediment and nutrients, and 80% of this is caused by cattle grazing on the land adjacent to the reef. Mud and chemical runoff tend to limit the sunlight that reaches the coral, causing it to die off, and they increase the macro-algae, which is a weed. Tourism is a threat to the reef, as tourist boats damage the delicate framework of the reef; fishing and pollution left behind by visitors also is a threat. Shipping through the Great Barrier Reef also puts the marine environment at risk if damage from oil spills. A natural threat to the Great Barrier Reef is the Crown of Thorns starfish. Outbreaks of this starfish are a constant threat to the animals of the Great Barrier Reef, though in small numbers it poses no threat.


Why is the great barrier reef considered to be such a wonder?

Great Barrier Reef The Great Barrier Reef is one of Australia's greatest attractions and one of the world's seven natural wonders. It's also the most extensive h-eastern coast of Australia, the Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef in the world. A coral reef is anp of mostly compacted coral, algae material and biochemically deposited magnesium and calcium carbonates. It provides a home to thousands of species of plants and animals. = Great Barrier Reef - Where Is It? = The Reef runs parallel to the coast of Queensland, Australia and has been designated by the Australian Government as a Marine Park. It runs mostly in a north-south direction and spans a wide range of climates. The Great Barrier Reef is the only natural organism that is visible from space! = Great Barrier Reef - Aquatic Life = Few peeps can imagine the wide range of animals, plants and fish that live in, on and around the reef. Sea turtles, Octopi, thousands of tropical fish, jelly fish, sharks, sea snakes and sting rays are just a few of the creatures that call the reef home. Another frequent visitor to the reef is the elusive scuba-diving tourist. Try not to move to quickly around this creature - they startle easily. * http://www.kidzworld.com/article/4922-seven-natural-wonders-great-barrier-reef* http://www.greatbarrierreef.org/ * http://www.itsnature.org/natural-wonders/great-barrier-reef/


What would happen if the climate conditions change in the great barrier reef?

Most island of the Great Barrier Reef are very little above seal level, thus would be swamped by a rapid rise in sea level brought about by glaciers melting. The same fate awaits the Maldives and many island groups, also countries like Bangladesh.


Is the Great Barrier Reef endangered?

The Great Barrier Reef does not have an official listing of "endangered". However, it is certainly at risk from various factors, and it is known to be 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.It should also be noted that some 40 species which live in and around the Great Barrier Reef are listed as endangered.


What does algae do to marine life in the Great Barrier Reef?

it begins to decompose the marine life and soon the animals will begin to die and could possibly go extinct


What has threatened the Great Barrier Reef?

A number of factors threaten the Great Barrier Reef. The Great Barrier Reef, like any natural habitat, faces numerous threats, largely as a result of human impact. Although it does not have an official listing of endangered, it is shrinking, and it is unknown by how much, or whether this is permanent. 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 than 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. There is evidence that the coral goes down much deeper than first thought, and this is an important factor in its regeneration. It is a very emotive topic. Pollution and chemical runoff pose a very real threat to the reef. The water quality of the reef is affected by sediment and nutrients, and 80% of this is caused by cattle grazing on the land adjacent to the reef. Mud and chemical runoff tend to limit the sunlight that reaches the coral, causing it to die off, and they increase the macro-algae, which is a weed. Tourism is a threat to the reef, as tourist boats damage the delicate framework of the reef; fishing and pollution left behind by visitors also is a threat. A natural threat to the Great Barrier Reef is the Crown of Thorns starfish. Outbreaks of this starfish are a constant threat to the animals of the Great Barrier Reef, though in small numbers it poses no threat. There are about 40 species which live in and around the Great Barrier Reef which are listed as endangered, mostly due to human impact.


Is the Great Barrier Reef at risk?

The Great Barrier Reef is at risk, but it is not endangered. The Great Barrier Reef, like any natural habitat, faces numerous threats and risks, largely as a result of human impact. Although it does not have an official listing of endangered, it is shrinking, and it is unknown by how much, or whether this is permanent. 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 than 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. There is evidence that the coral goes down much deeper than first thought, and this is an important factor in its regeneration. It is a very emotive topic. Pollution and chemical runoff pose a very real threat to the reef. The water quality of the reef is affected by sediment and nutrients, and 80% of this is caused by cattle grazing on the land adjacent to the reef. Mud and chemical runoff tend to limit the sunlight that reaches the coral, causing it to die off, and they increase the macro-algae, which is a weed. Tourism is a threat to the reef, as tourist boats damage the delicate framework of the reef; fishing and pollution left behind by visitors also is a threat. A natural threat to the Great Barrier Reef is the Crown of Thorns starfish. Outbreaks of this starfish are a constant threat to the animals of the Great Barrier Reef, though in small numbers it poses no threat. There are about 40 species which live in and around the Great Barrier Reef which are listed as endangered, mostly due to human impact.