Natural Environment Blog

Google has now added Australia’s Great Barrier Reef to it’s online mapping service - Google Maps.

This is the first time a large scale marine environment has been added to Google Maps. And it is certainly large - at 2,300 kilometers long, the Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest natural feature.

The Great Barrier Reef can now be seen as a large mass sitting off the coast of north-eastern Australia:

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You can zoom in to view the many thousands of cays, islands, and reefs that make up the Great Barrier Reef.

For example, here’s Thetford Reef, which resides off the coast of Cairns:

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So, if you’re ever bored, you could spend time exploring the Great Barrier Reef from the comfort of your own home. Given there are over 2900 coral reefs, 600 continental islands, 71 coral islands, and 300 coral cays, you should be able to keep yourself busy for a while.

A attempt by the Australian government to revive coral trout numbers in the Great Barrier Reef appears to be doing the trick.

More than 100,000 km² of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park was rezoned to be a ‘no-take’ zone. In other words, a third of the Great Barrier Marine Park had a total fishing ban. This represented the world’s largest network of marine no-take zones and was very controversial when it was introduced four years ago. Not surprisingly, the fishing industry in particular had a huge problem with the fishing ban.

Despite the controversy of this fishing ban, it has proved to be very effective at reviving coral trout numbers. Since the ban was implemented, coral trout numbers have increased by over 60 percent in the no-take zones. This is an amazing result considering that, in other areas where no ban has been implemented, trout numbers have remained the same.

On a less-positive note, the population of other species of fish don’t appear to have changed since the ban - only coral trout numbers have increased. Also, it will take up to 15 years before coral trout numbers have had a full recovery.

Source: New Scientist

As I mentioned the other day, the Australian government, in its 2008 federal budget, announced increased spending on environmental issues.

This includes $200 million to go towards protecting the Great Barrier Reef. The package is being called “Reef Rescue” and aims to tackle climate change and improve water quality around the Great Barrier Reef. Given the Great Barrier Reef is one of the natural wonders of the world, this is welcome news.

A large part of the funding will go towards grants to landowners and managers. The main aim with this is to reduce sediment from entering the waters around the Great Barrier Reef. Currently, water quality around the reef is being affected by this pollution from the land.

Reef Rescue Allocation

Reef Rescue is divided up into 5 different parts:

• Great Barrier Reef Water Quality Grants ($146 million)
• Healthy Reef Partnerships program ($12 million)
• Great Barrier Reef Water Quality Research and Development program ($10 million)
• Water Quality Monitoring and Reporting program ($22 million)
• Land and Sea Country Indigenous Partnerships program ($10 million)

Here’s an explanation of each of these parts (taken from the official budget website):

Great Barrier Reef Water Quality Grants ($146 million)

The majority of these funds will be provided in the form of matching grants (with matching funding) to landowners and managers who commit to implementing proven practices that reduce loss of nutrients and sediments, while improving farm productivity. This will be delivered in partnership with peak industry groups and existing regional Natural Resource Management groups.

Healthy Reef Partnerships program ($12 million)

A program to build partnerships between peak industry organisations and non-government organisations that support landowners with increased local expertise and extension staff. It will build on existing programs in rural industry bodies and regional NRM groups.

Great Barrier Reef Water Quality Research and Development program ($10 million)

To improve our understanding of the link between land management practices and environmental impacts. Research priorities will be determined in consultation with the Queensland Government, universities and research organisations, and other stakeholders.

Water Quality Monitoring and Reporting program ($22 million)

This funding will allow further development and implementation of a coordinated catchment-wide water quality monitoring and measurement program with established criteria and targets. The funding will also provide for the annual publication of a Great Barrier Reef Water Quality Report Card.

Land and Sea Country Indigenous Partnerships program ($10 million)

This program will build the capacity of traditional owner groups in sea country management. The funds will be used to strengthen communications between local communities, managers and reef stakeholders and build a better understanding of Traditional Owner issues about the management of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. Funding will also be available for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) to allow for the expansion of the Traditional Use of Marine Resources Agreements across the Great Barrier Reef catchment.

Reef Rescue will play an important role in the survival of the Great Barrier Reef. Let’s hope it’s not too late.

This year is the International Year of the Reef.

The International Year of the Reef 2008 (IYOR 2008) is a worldwide campaign to raise awareness about the value and importance of coral reefs and threats to their sustainability, and to motivate people to take action to protect them. All individuals, corporations, schools, governments, and organizations are welcome and actively encouraged to participate in IYOR 2008.

The International Year of the Reef was first declared in 1997. IYOR 1997 was a global effort to raise awareness and understanding of our coral reefs and the increasing threats they are facing.

In 1997, IYOR had over 225 organizations in 50 countries participating. There were over 700 articles published in newspapers and magazines. Hundreds of surveys were undertaken.

IYOR 2008 aims to:

• Strengthen awareness about the ecological, economic, social and cultural value of coral reefs and associated ecosystems
• Improve understanding of the critical threats to coral reefs and generate both practical and innovative solutions to reduce these threats
• Generate urgent action at all levels to develop and implement effective management strategies for conservation and sustainable use of these ecosystems.

For more information on IYOR, check out the official IYOR website.

The Reef Check Foundation is an international non-profit organization dedicated to conservation of two ecosystems: tropical coral reefs and California rocky reefs. According to its website, Reef Check aims to:

• Educate the public and governments about the value of coral reefs and rocky reef ecosystems and the crisis facing them
• Create a global network of volunteer teams, trained and led by scientists, that regularly monitor and report on reef health using a standard method
• Facilitate collaborative use of reef health information by community groups, governments, universities and businesses to design and implement ecologically sound and economically sustainable solutions
• Stimulate local action to protect remaining pristine reefs and rehabilitate damaged reefs worldwide especially through the creation of Marine Protected Areas.

Reef Check includes 3 major programs:

1. EcoAction Program – an education and certification program for kids to adults who want to learn more about the ocean and take part in protecting reef ecosystems.
2. Coral Reef Management Program – a coral reef monitoring and management system that focuses on establishing Marine Protected Areas to conserve coral reefs while encouraging sustainable use of surrounding reefs by local residents.
3. Reef Check California – a volunteer monitoring program for California rocky reefs designed to provide data for managers and to build a conservation constituency among California divers.

Reef Check works with volunteers in more than 80 countries to help protect and rehabilitate the world’s coral reefs. Much of this work involves monitoring reefs and their marine life, as well as formulating ways to manage their protection and/or rehabilitation.

If you’ve ever been snorkelling or scuba diving, you’ll appreciate the beauty of coral reefs. You might also be aware of the fact that many of the world’s coral reefs are actually dying. In my article on the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, I mentioned that factors such as global warming, overfishing, and land pollution are causing major issues for coral reefs. This is where Reef Check hopes to make a difference.

A cay is a small, low elevation, sandy island formed on the surface of coral reefs. Cay is pronounced as ‘key’ and is sometimes spelled key or quay.

Cays are typically located in tropical waters such as the tropical parts of the Pacific Ocean, Indian Ocean, and Atlantic Ocean. For example, there are many cays throughout the Great Barrier Reef - the largest coral reef in the world. Some popular cays in the area include Green Island, Michaelmas Cay, Upolu Cay, and Heron Island.

Cays are mostly made up of biogenic sediment from coral reef ecosystems. Biogenic sediment refers to the skeletal remains of plants and animals. Ocean currents transport the sediment across the reef surface, then deposit it in a place where currents converge or slow down. Weather and tidal patterns can impact on the formation and eradication of cays.

Some of the smaller cays often appear to be no more than a sandbar, while larger or older cays will have trees and other foliage growing on them.

Arthur C. Clarke, the famous science fiction writer, has died of heart failure at age 90. Clarke died in Colombo, Sri Lanka, where he lived for over 50 years.

Clarke had a love of scuba diving. It is well known that he explored the Great Barrier Reef and the Indian ocean. His 1957 novel The Deep Range was inspired after scuba diving in the Great Barrier Reef.

Clarke was often asked how he would like to be remembered. His response:

I have had a diverse career as a writer, underwater explorer and space promoter. Of all these I would like to be remembered as a writer

Source: Associated Press

You may have read my article about the Great Barrier Reef, and how it is under threat by overfishing, land-based pollution, and global warming. Well, because of these threats, the Department of Natural Resources and Water has created the world’s longest water monitoring network.

The network consists of complex monitoring equipment at 30 collection stations, covering 1500km of coastline, to protect the Great Barrier Reef. The idea behind this is that scientists will be able to track sediment, nutrient and chemical levels in the waterways which send water out to the reef. It is thought that these sediments and pollutants are contributing to the demise of the reef.

Of particular interest is water flow caused by events such as flooding. Now that the gigantic water monitoring network is in place, scientists will be able to learn exactly how much of an impact these events are having on the reef.

The largest natural feature on earth is so large, that it can be seen from space!

Earth’s largest natural feature is the Great Barrier Reef.

The Great Barrier Reef is a massive collection of coral reefs located along the north eastern side of Australia. It is the world’s most extensive coral reef system and is one of the world’s richest areas in terms of faunal diversity.

The reef is part of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, which at 35 million hectares, is the world’s largest World Heritage Area. About 98 percent of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area is located in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, which was declared in 1975 with the purpose of preserving the area’s outstanding biodiversity whilst providing for reasonable use.

Here are some interesting facts about the Great Barrier Reef:

• There are more than 2900 coral reefs
• 600 continental islands
• 71 coral islands
• 300 coral cays
• 1500 species of fish
• 4000 species of molluscs
• 500 species of seaweed
• 350 types of starfish and various echinoderms
• More than 215 species of birds
• 1.9 million tourists visit the Great Barrier Reef each year
• The Great Barrier Reef is over 12,000 years old
• The reef itself stretches more than 2300 km from the northern tip of Australia’s Queensland to just south of Bundaberg (also in the state of Queensland)
• The Great Barrier Marine Park covers 348,000 square kilometers - that’s larger than the whole of the UK and Ireland combined!

The Great Barrier Reef is Under Threat

Unfortunately, the Great Barrier Reef is under threat from overfishing, land-based pollution and coral bleaching. Coral bleaching is exacerbated by increased sea temperatures due to global warming. As a result of public campaigning and pressure from WWF, the Australian Government has committed to protecting 33% of the reef where it can (previously, only 4% had been protected).

Regarding the impact of global warming on the reef, it’s not just affecting the Great Barrier Reef. To date, 10% of all reefs around the world have been destroyed due to coral bleaching. At the current rate, 70% of the world’s reefs will be destroyed over the next 40 years.

As hopeless as this may sound, there are things we can do to help. By developing greener habits, we can all do our part in reducing global warming. For example, here are 5 ways to reduce greenhouse gases. And here are some simple steps you can take to live sustainably.

New Scientist has just published an article regarding a study of fish living in the tropical waters of Australia. The study has found that there is an increasing number of fish being born deaf, with misshapen ear bones. This in turn, increases the likelihood that they will become lost and die.

Newly born reef fish tend to spend a few weeks out in the open seas before returning home. When they return home, it appears that they rely on sound to help guide them. The sounds include other sea creatures (such as sea urchins, shrimp, and other fish) as well as crashing waves in the distance. If they are deaf, they are less likely to be able to find their way back home.

In particular, Larval Ambon damselfish are more likely to be born deaf, with otolith asymmetry, if their parents are exposed to warmer, more acid seas. And this is exactly what’s happening around tropical waters such as Lizard Island and the Great Barrier Reef (where the study was undertaken). Increased acidification reduces the availability of calcium to be absorbed by fish to make bones.

However, Arthur Popper, director of the Aquatic Bioacoustics Laboratory at the University of Maryland, College Park, US points out that a direct link between otolith asymmetry and increased mortality hasn’t yet been proven. He also says that he’s not convinced that otolith asymmetry would affect a fish’s ability to locate a sound.

In any case, the study does demonstrate a strong link between warmer oceans and deaf fish - which is not a good thing.