The Great Barrier Reef is a complex web of marine wildlife that relies on each other for survival. This ecosystem is entirely dependent on this variety of species. It is a 2000km from the Tropic of Capricorn (which starts near Gladsone) up to the south of New Guinea. This is an incredibly wide stretch of ocean, that has a rich biodiversity of marine life. It forms a barrier for the coasts, protecting them against strong flooding, and extreme storms.
Coral consists of millions of teeny animals that form a solid exoskeleton. They biologically fuse to create this structure, and that’s what causes such a striking vivid colour in the reef.
The Great Barrier Reef is a highly significant area for many different reasons.
Why is the Great Barrier Reef important?
- It’s the biggest coral reef in the world
- Economic value
- Scientific and medicinal research
- Biodiversity and wildlife
It’s the biggest coral reef in the world
It’s one of the natural wonders of the world. It’s also the biggest coral reef in the world, and we need coral reefs to sustain healthy oceans, a healthy planet, and healthy biodiversity.
There are many different reasons why the Great Barrier Reef is highly important.
Economic value
In Australia, it’s thought that 60,000 jobs have been created because of the Great Barrier Reef. It’s estimated to bring in around $56 billion for the economy.
Scientific research
Coral reefs are also used to study and create new cures for disease. The likes of heart disease, cancer and asthma have been treated with this research.
Specific chemical compounds within the reefs have been isolated and helped to cure disease. There is still lots to discover when it comes to the potential of the Great Barrier Reef, but scientists are studying the possibilities of further medical breakthroughs.
Biodiversity and wildlife
There are a whopping 3000 different coral reefs that exist there. The Great Barrier Reef creates these essential living environments for so many different species of wildlife.
There is a whole variety of different fish, mollusks, birds, and so many other types of marine life to see in the Great Barrier Reef. In the far north region (where swimming isn’t advised,) there might even be a crocodile or two!
It’s the pinnacle of interest for marine biologists and underwater explorers alike, because of how diverse and spectacular the marine life is there.
- The sea snakes are the most diverse in the world
- There are seven marine turtles in the world, and six of them exist here in the Great Barrier Reef
- The whales in the Great Barrier Reef weigh more than 100 tonnes