The Great Barrier Reef
Environmentalist
Ecosystem of the reef
The Great Barrier Reefs is the world's largest coral reef ecosystem. The reef contains beautiful islands and coral cays as it covers more than 300,000 square kilometers. Human activity in the Reef areas has led to the increase of pollutants which has eventually damaged the reef.
Damage of the Coral Reef
Due to the over activity of tourism in the Reef it has ruined important parts of it's ecosystem. Such things that damage the Reef are:
- Sun screen poisoning the Coral Reef
- Commercial vessels polluting the water
- Fragile corals broken due to reef walking and dropped anchors
- Tourism attractions like fishing are endangering species
Benefits of the Coral Reef
The ecosystem of the Great Barrier Reef benefits humans as well. The Coral Reef sustains almost twenty five percent of marine life, holding many different species this allows humans to be able to fish with out damaging the reef and endangering species. The Reef's structure plays an important role as natural breakwaters, which minimize wave impacts from storms such as cyclones, hurricanes, or typhoons.
Tourism
If the Great Barrier Reef continues to be impacted by the negative affects of tourism then eventually the Coral Reef will be at a stand still, not being able to provide a habitat, food, or protection to endangered species. Also there will be a loss of money if the Coral Reef becomes useless because there will be no money earned from tourism.