THE GREAT BARRIER REEF
WHERE IS IT? HERITAGE
The Great Barrier Reef is one of the natural, seven wonders in Queensland, Australia. It is positioned Longitude:E 146° 44' 28.3452".Latitude:S 17° 42.697488'.
The largest coral reef ecosystem on earth is The Great Barrier Reef and it is one of the best managed marine zones in the world. The Great Barrier Reef is 348 000 km²,its one of the wealthiest and diverse ecosystems.
The Great Barrier Reef attracts 1.6 million visitors each year it contributes to more than $5 billion towards the Australian economy, and creates about 63,000 jobs.
The Great Barrier Reef is one of the natural, seven wonders in Queensland, Australia. It is positioned Longitude:E 146° 44' 28.3452".Latitude:S 17° 42.697488'.
The largest coral reef ecosystem on earth is The Great Barrier Reef and it is one of the best managed marine zones in the world. The Great Barrier Reef is 348 000 km²,its one of the wealthiest and diverse ecosystems.
The Great Barrier Reef attracts 1.6 million visitors each year it contributes to more than $5 billion towards the Australian economy, and creates about 63,000 jobs.
WHY SHOULD YOU VISIT?
The Great Barrier Reef is one of Australia's most astounding natural gifts, with its breathtaking beauty.The reef contains plenty of marine life and contains over 3000 single reef ecosystems, hundreds of tropical islands surrounding the Great Barrier Reef attracting visitors because of its natural beauty, the Great Barrier Reef is a world-wide saught after tourist destination
visitors of the Great Barrier Reef can enjoy many breathtaking experiences such as; snorkelling, scuba diving, aircraft or helicopter tours, bare boats , glass-bottomed boat viewing, semi-submersibles , cruise ship tours, whale watching, swimming with dolphins, day trip, hot air ballooning. With sunshine, warm seas, refreshing breezes and a warm climate all year round,
the Tropical Queensland weather is difficult to beat.
The Great Barrier Reef is one of Australia's most astounding natural gifts, with its breathtaking beauty.The reef contains plenty of marine life and contains over 3000 single reef ecosystems, hundreds of tropical islands surrounding the Great Barrier Reef attracting visitors because of its natural beauty, the Great Barrier Reef is a world-wide saught after tourist destination
visitors of the Great Barrier Reef can enjoy many breathtaking experiences such as; snorkelling, scuba diving, aircraft or helicopter tours, bare boats , glass-bottomed boat viewing, semi-submersibles , cruise ship tours, whale watching, swimming with dolphins, day trip, hot air ballooning. With sunshine, warm seas, refreshing breezes and a warm climate all year round,
the Tropical Queensland weather is difficult to beat.
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WEATHER AND CLIMATE
The great barrier reef is in the tropical climate. The average temperature is 27 degrees all year round varying throughout the year. Due to the reef beaing in a wet climate there are only 2 seasons throughout the year 'the green' and 'the dry’.
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FLORA
There are many spices of flora that originate in the Great Barrier Reef over 400 species of natural coral that make the Great Barrier Reef famous and provide many fauna with shelter and protecting. The reef is one of Australia’s most prised natural wonder. Coral is colonised in groups made of tiny animals called polyps. Polyps with 6 tentacles are called hard coral and polyps with 8 tentacles are called soft coral. More than 5,000 species of molluscs live on the Reef, such as; Giant clams and Nudibranchs. Giant clams can grow as much as 1 metre long, Nudibranchs are a type of sea snail when they are tiny larvae they only have a shell. 15 of the 60 spices of sea grass originate in the Great Barrier Reef. 500 species of seaweed and algae live on the Reef.
FAUNA
Many spices of fauna live or visit the Great Barrier Reef yearly. Over 30 spices of porpoises, whales and dolphins use the reef as a home at a point in the year; the Dwarf minke whales visit the Reef every year from June to July. The Great Barrier Reef is home to the largest amount of the endangered dugong population in the world. 160 birds and 40 seabirds’ species live or use the Great Barrier Reef. The Great Barrier Reef is home to 6 spices of breeding sea turtles, such as; Green, Leatherback, Hawksbill, Loggerhead, Flat back and Olive Ridley. The reef is home to over 1500 different fish spices allowing the reef to thrive some of these include clown fish, dory and many other popular tropical fish. There are 14 spices of sea snakes currently living on the Reef.
There are many spices of flora that originate in the Great Barrier Reef over 400 species of natural coral that make the Great Barrier Reef famous and provide many fauna with shelter and protecting. The reef is one of Australia’s most prised natural wonder. Coral is colonised in groups made of tiny animals called polyps. Polyps with 6 tentacles are called hard coral and polyps with 8 tentacles are called soft coral. More than 5,000 species of molluscs live on the Reef, such as; Giant clams and Nudibranchs. Giant clams can grow as much as 1 metre long, Nudibranchs are a type of sea snail when they are tiny larvae they only have a shell. 15 of the 60 spices of sea grass originate in the Great Barrier Reef. 500 species of seaweed and algae live on the Reef.
FAUNA
Many spices of fauna live or visit the Great Barrier Reef yearly. Over 30 spices of porpoises, whales and dolphins use the reef as a home at a point in the year; the Dwarf minke whales visit the Reef every year from June to July. The Great Barrier Reef is home to the largest amount of the endangered dugong population in the world. 160 birds and 40 seabirds’ species live or use the Great Barrier Reef. The Great Barrier Reef is home to 6 spices of breeding sea turtles, such as; Green, Leatherback, Hawksbill, Loggerhead, Flat back and Olive Ridley. The reef is home to over 1500 different fish spices allowing the reef to thrive some of these include clown fish, dory and many other popular tropical fish. There are 14 spices of sea snakes currently living on the Reef.
all used from: http://crcreef.jcu.edu.au/discover/plantsanimals/facts_plantanimal.htm
OTHER INTERESTING FACTS
- The Great Barrier Reef is larger than the Great Wall of China and is the only living thing on earth that is visible from space.
- the oldest coral on the great barrier reef is 1000 years old and is caled Porites sp
- the red bass is the oldest fish on the Great Barrier reef, living to more than 50 years
REFERENCES
http://www.lizardisland.com.au/Great-Barrier-Reef-Weather.aspx
http://www.travelonline.com/great-barrier-reef/weather-and-climate.html
https://www.divingcairns.com.au/marinelife_fish
http://www.gbrmpa.gov.au/about-the-reef/animals
http://www.great-barrier-reef.com/great-barrier-reef-tours.html
http://www.quicksilver-cruises.com/
http://www.gbrmpa.gov.au/about-the-reef/animals/marine-turtles
http://www.lizardisland.com.au/Great-Barrier-Reef-Weather.aspx
http://www.travelonline.com/great-barrier-reef/weather-and-climate.html
https://www.divingcairns.com.au/marinelife_fish
http://www.gbrmpa.gov.au/about-the-reef/animals
http://www.great-barrier-reef.com/great-barrier-reef-tours.html
http://www.quicksilver-cruises.com/
http://www.gbrmpa.gov.au/about-the-reef/animals/marine-turtles