How is Man Responsible?
Man has greatly contributed to many of the damages done to the ecosystem. Coral reefs live in very precise, fragile and balanced marine environments, even the slightest change can have a huge impact on an entire coral ecosystem. Coral reefs are able to endure natural stresses by adjusting, however the present human pressures are destroying the reefs such that they cannot recover.
Overfishing for recreation and commercial purposes have vastly downsized wildlife in the reefs and unwanted species caught in large nets, usually sea turtles, are significantly affected by overfishing in the reefs. Shipping accidents, which are typically caused by human error, are another concern, as several commercial shipping routes pass through the Great Barrier Reef, as well as tourist boats and ships. Waste and foreign species discharged in ballast water from ships, when purging procedures are not followed, are a biological hazard to the Great Barrier Reef. Oil mining is also a factor to the overall pollution of the reefs, as shale oil is abundant in the Great Barrier and the US Shale Boom is proof of just how sought out it is. Oil spills that have occurred as recently as 2010 are also potential threats to polluting the reefs and the wildlife. |
How is Nature Responsible?
Nature has not caused as much decay to the reefs as man, but it is still a contributing factor. Changes in climate caused by tropical storms have been a big issue, as the coral and the wildlife can only thrive in certain conditions, and the storms themselves have caused vast amounts of damages. Category 5 Tropical Cylcone Yasi has recently caused physical damage to the reef, and there are the huge problems of excessive runoff of sediment after months of Queensland's floods.
Even the wildlife itself has harmed the natural wonderland, specifically the crown-of-thorns starfish. This species of starfish (pictured below) preys on coral polyps by climbing onto them, extruding its stomach over them, and releasing digestive enzymes to absorb the liquefied tissue. In 2000, an outbreak contributed to a loss of 66% of live coral cover on sampled reefs in a study by the RRC (Reefs Research Centre). Despite more than 30 years of research on this very complex problem, and the commitment of millions of dollars on research over the last 17 years, the ultimate causes of the outbreaks are still not clear. However, there is now a much greater understanding of the biology of the starfish, the nature of the outbreaks, and the pattern of recovery of the reefs. |