| One of the great natural wonders of the world, one | | | | unchecked. |
| would think the Great Barrier Reef was permanent. | | | | Another of the several dangers to the Great Barrier |
| Unfortunately, it is proving to be all to vulnerable to the | | | | Reef is global warming. While many of the other |
| effects of a changing world. | | | | effects of global warming are much more publicized, |
| Impending Doom for the Great Barrier Reef? | | | | this warming trend also affects coral. Many of the |
| With the diverse ecosystems that have evolved | | | | types of coral on the Reef are already living at the top |
| around coral reefs, it is very important to protect them | | | | end of their temperature tolerance, and some of them |
| and keep the areas in balance. In no coral reef area is | | | | have been "bleached" by releasing their |
| this more important than in the Great Barrier Reef | | | | photosynthesizing components due to the high |
| area near Australia. The largest coral reef in the world, | | | | temperature of the water. This shows the white |
| the Great Barrier Reef is home to over 500 different | | | | exoskeleton of the coral. If the water that causes this |
| types of algae, 30 types of sea grasses, 30 species | | | | bleaching does not lower within a month, the coral will |
| of whale and six different breeding species of sea | | | | die under these conditions. |
| turtle - and that's just the beginning! | | | | Of course, the biggest danger to the Great Barrier |
| One of the biggest dangers to the Great Barrier Reef | | | | Reef comes from man. Chemical and farming runoff, |
| is not man-made or caused by man in any way. The | | | | as well as other pollutants, creates an uninhabitable |
| Crown-of-thorns starfish is devastating to the coral | | | | water area around the Reef. This can kill off the coral |
| reef itself, as it is a natural predator of coral. Thought | | | | as well as the other animals and plants that live in the |
| to be native to Australia (but not known for sure), the | | | | area. Coastal development of the cities around the |
| Crown-of-thorns starfish is thriving at this time because | | | | ocean shore area has also affected the Reef. Our |
| it actually does better in the poor quality water that | | | | best bet for taking care of the Great Barrier Reef is |
| has begun to infiltrate the area. This starfish also | | | | to watch out for human impact on the area. |
| reproduces quickly by laying many eggs at a time, and | | | | Richard Monk is with Facts Monk - a site with facts |
| it's natural predators, the Giant Triton, are being fished | | | | about everything. |
| for their shells. This leaves the population of starfish | | | | |