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