Environmental Issues | Australia | Marine | Corals and Coral Reefs | Great Barrier Reef

Why is the Great Barrier Reef shrinking?

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.

What type of reef is the Great Barrier Reef?

The Great Barrier Reef is a coral reef.

Why is the Great Barrier Reef called the Great Barrier Reef?

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…

What is the common name for the Great Barrier Reef?

The Great Barrier Reef is commonly known as either the Great Barrier Reef or simply 'the reef'.

What is the proper name for the Great Barrier Reef?

The proper name for the Great Barrier Reef is simply "Great Barrier Reef".

How did the Great Barrier Reef get its 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…

Great barrier reef?

The Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef in the world.

What is happening to the Great Barrier Reef?

It is shrinking, dying because of climate change and other human caused conditions.

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 the scientific name of the Great Barrier Reef?

The Great Barrier Reef.

Is the Great Barrier Reef an ecosystem?

Yes. The Great Barrier Reef is a coral reef ecosystem.

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.

Are there jellyfish in the Great Barrier Reef?

yes, there are jellyfish in the great barrier reef.

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 type of landform is the Great Barrier Reef?

The Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest coral reef.

Is the Great Barrier Reef the longest reef?

At 2300 km long, the Great Barrier Reef is the world's longest reef.

Who named the Great Barrier Reef?

Dr Great Barrier

Who manages the Great Barrier Reef?

The vast majority of the Great Barrier Reef is in Australian waters. This is managed by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority.

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".

Is the Great Barrier Reef shrinking?

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…

How old is the Great Barrier Reef?

The Great Barrier reef is about 4300 years old.

What are the abiotic features of the Great Barrier Reef?

The abiotic features of the great barrier reef is..

Can sharks get in the Great Barrier Reef?

Yes. There can certainly be sharks in the Great Barrier Reef.

What are the cultural features of Great Barrier Reef?

what are the cultural importance of the great barrier reef