The document provides an overview of the threats facing biodiversity in the Great Barrier Reef due to factors like climate change, pollution, overfishing, and natural disasters. It discusses the endangered species in the reef and the causes of their endangerment. Solutions discussed include the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority's management plans, Outlook Report, Biodiversity Strategy, and Reef Water Protection Plan, which aim to protect species and their habitats in the reef.

1. Biodiversity in Danger The GreatBarrierReef Angel Carney, 2010

2. Overview: Introduction to the Reef: What is a reef? Meet the Great Barrier Reef The Problem: Endangered Species of the GBR Causes of the Problem Solutions for The Problem Reef water protection plan Biodiversity strategy Conclusion Angel Carney, 2010

4. Corals are soft, stationary animals without a backbone!

5. When the corals die, they leave behind hard structures that are the basis of the reef

6. Home to 30 different kinds of whales, 6 kinds of turtles, and over 1500 kinds of fish, PLUS sea snakes, sharks, and stingrays!

7. Home to some of the largest clams in the world!

8. Microscopic algae live on the corals and through photosynthesis, the corals “steal” nutrients from the algau, giving them their vibrant colorsAngel Carney, 2010

10. Found in the shallow waters surrounding Queensland, Australia!

11. Named one of the seven wonders of the world!

12. Estimated to be 500,000Years old

13. It is the largest reef system in the world!

14. Over 344,400 square kilometers and 1,800 miles long!

15. 1,200 miles long

16. Can be seen from space!Angel Carney, 2010

18. It is estimated that by the year 2100, the world will have only 30% of it’s coral reefs

19. The Great Barrier Marine Park Authority has introduced several plans to help stop this

20. Lots of the species that are native to the Great Barrier Reef, and only found there are becoming endangered!

21. Endangered animals are species that are in danger of going extinct

22. Many of the species on the reef are exclusive to this area, which means when they are gone from the reef, they are gone from the planetAngel Carney, 2010

24. Sharks – whale shark, grey nurse shark, great white shark, freshwater and green sawfish

25. Marine turtles

26. Birds

27. Seals

28. Whales and dolphins

29. Dugongs

30. Shells – helmet shells, triton shells, tridacnid clams

31. Fish – seahorses, pipefish, sea dragons, potato cod, Queensland Grouper, barramundi cod, Maori wrasse, all other grouper over 100 cm

32. Seasnakes

33. CrocodilesAngel Carney, 2010

35. Pollution – Toxic Spills, and groundings

36. Over-fishing and poaching

37. Natural Disasters, such as hurricanes, and tropical storms

38. Physical Damage

39. Water QualityAngel Carney, 2010

41. The water temperature is expected to rise 1.8-5.4 degrees Fahrenheit

42. Rising climate makes ice bergs melt, which makes the ocean rise, estimates are at 3 mm per year

43. Causes stress to the very delicate corals:

44. They become unfit hosts for and discharge the microorganisms which live on them.

45. Causes Coral Bleaching, which is when the corals begin to lose their colorations

46. Ocean acidification – Increasing temperatures cause increased carbon dioxide to be absorbed by the ocean waters.Angel Carney, 2010

48. Pesticides and fertilizers run off into these rivers and poison the inhabitants.

49. Spreads disease among corals

50. Copper from industries stunts polyp development

51. Ships take “shortcuts” through the reef, and release exhausts and leak oils that suffocate the corals and other organisms, into the waters

52. Sediment: solid particles settle into the water and smother the environment

53. Can result in the reef being buried!

54. Blocks sunlight so the microorganisms cannot photosynthesize and give the coral their colorsAngel Carney, 2010

56. Naturally predatory species are over-fished, causing species lower on the food chain to grow out of control

57. Likewise, if species low on the food chain are diminished, natural predators will die due to lack of food.

58. Fishing increases pollution on the reef, because of the ships

59. Many of the endangered species are poached, for flavors, and high rates of pay

60. Reduces life span and reproduction of species (Keller et. al, 2009).

61. Nets dragged across the sea floor cause damage to the habitat.Angel Carney, 2010

63. Increase sea levels!

64. Dump too much freshwater into the sea

65. The corals, polyps and all other inhabitants are salt water friendly

66. Freshwater decreases coral growth

67. Rising water levels increase run off into the rivers and, subsequently into the sea!

68. Diluting the salt water contributes to coral bleaching and death of the polypsAngel Carney, 2010

70. Touching: Suntan lotions and oils wash off and cause damage to the reef

71. Boats drop anchors in the reef and cause physical damage

72. Increases pollution, also

73. Littering: leaving foreign things in the reef

74. Fishes may ingest harmful matter

75. Chemicals in the litter can be harmful

76. Much of the litter does not biodegrade

77. Propellers hit marine animals, such as endangered dugongs and turtles

78. Snorkel fins damage corals when strickenAngel Carney, 2010

80. Outlook Report

81. Biodiversity Strategy

82. Reef water Protection PlanAngel Carney, 2010

84. Employs 15 Advisory Committees

85. Committed to the long-term protection of the reef

86. Reef HQ Aquarium – education center run by the GBRMPA

87. 25 Year plan:

88. Conservation

89. Resource Management

90. Education, and Communication

91. Research and Monitoring

92. Management Processes(http://www.gbrmpa.gov.au/corp_site/management/25-year_strategic_plan) Angel Carney, 2010

94. Provides a report of the management of the Great Barrier Reef

95. Summarizes the past and present management of the Great Barrier Reef

96. Highlights:

97. The GBR is one of the most extraordinary ecosystems in the world

98. Key issues to be addressed within the Park:

99. Climate

100. Declining water quality

101. Loss of habitat

102. FishingAngel Carney, 2010

104. No other place in the world is home to as many different plant and animal species living in harmony with each other

105. It is imperative that we preserve the diversity of this ecosystem

106. Aims to guide and help coordinate management actions that will protect and conserve biodiversity in the Great Barrier Reef, (GBRMPA, August 2010).

107. Conserves the diversity of the habitat as well as it inhabitants

108. Provides a framework for how biodiversity is managaged (GBRMPA, 2010).

109. Completes assessments on progress

110. Identifies problems, fall-backs, and prioritizes threats

111. Manufactures and distributes publications to the publicAngel Carney, 2010

113. 2 Goals:

114. immediate goal - to halt and reverse the decline in water quality entering the Reef by 2013 (Qld Gov, 2009)

115. long term goal - to ensure that by 2020 the quality of water quality entering the Reef from adjacent catchments has no detrimental impact on the health and resilience of the Great Barrier Reef. (Qld Gov, 2009)

116. Implement strategies on the farms surrounding the area

117. Enact, Review, oversee and stay on top of policiesAngel Carney, 2010

119. Protects 33% of the reef from commercial and recreational fishing!

120. Identifies endangered species, and outlines steps to protect them

121. Allows native peoples to fish the reef

122. Prohibits removal of any part of the reef or any inhabitantAngel Carney, 2010

123. Conclusion: The Great Barrier Reef has been recognized as a World Heritage Site. It covers an area larger than the size of Italy. Te Great Barrier Reef is home to a very wide variety of corals, polyps, plants, animals, fish, and more organisms and is more than 500,000 years old. It is imperative that we preserve this treasure trove under the sea. Many human practices are killing The Great Barrier Reef, but through knowledge we can spread the word and help combat the destruction of this natural wonder of the Earth. Please, help, spread the word! Angel Carney, 2010

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