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- More Shocking Pictures Of The Great Barrier Reef
"The Great Barrier Reef is in grave danger. The twin perils brought by climate change – an increase in the temperature of the ocean and its acidity – threaten its very existence." - Sir David Attenborough
If those wise, powerful words from the voice of nature himself can't echo into the mindset of humanity quickly, then one of the world's most beautiful natural ecosystems will vanish before our eyes. There are also massive coral reefs in the Caribbean, the third-largest reef is located in the Bahamas. The second-largest reef in the world is the Mesoamerican Reef just off the coast of Belize.
Located off the coast of Far North Queensland, the Great Barrier Reef is both a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the world's largest coral reef system, with almost 3000 individual reefs and 900 islands. It has always been a beacon for divers and marine biology enthusiasts, but in recent years it has started to deteriorate, to the shock and sadness of many. Through a combination of natural disasters, human intervention (over-tourism), and global warming, the once-thriving reef is dissipating.
UPDATE: 2022/11/30 10:52 EST BY AARON SPRAY
More Shocking Pictures Of The Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef is one of the world's greatest national treasures, and it is of the utmost importance not to lose it. This list was updated with more pictures of the reef and a message of hope that since the last major bleaching event, the reef has partially recovered. However, it remains vulnerable (especially in the southern parts).
UPDATE: 2022/09/28 16:46 EST BY SERA PARRIS
This article discusses how tourism, global warming, and other factors have negatively impacted the once-thriving Great Barrier Reef. This article has been updated to include more relevant images and related links. Minor changes/edits were also made to ensure that the overall content and updated information complimented each other.
14 Then: A Flourishing Ecosystem
The Great Barrier Reef has been known for decades as not only one of the world’s most diverse underwater ecosystems, but also as one of the premier diving spots in existence. For this reason, tourists and divers from all corners of the world move heaven and Earth for a chance to witness the incredible underwater world.
As told by WorldWildlife, Australia’s most iconic reef is host to “1,500 species of fish, 411 types of hard coral, and one-third of the world's soft corals. There are also 134 species of sharks and rays, six of the world's seven species of threatened marine turtles, and more than 30 species of marine mammals, including the vulnerable dugong that call this place home.” It truly is a habitat like no other.
13 Now: Lifeless Coral
In 2017, the Australian Government’s Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority released a damming graphic that showed the severity of coral loss across four distinct areas: the Far North, North, Central, and South. The percentages of dead coral across each region were stated as 26, 67, 6, and 1, respectively.
Since then, the numbers have only continued to get worse. Through a combination of coral bleaching, global warming, the aftermath of Cyclone Debbie, and tourists and swimmers unintentionally damaging the areas they swim in, the state of this incredible and iconic ecosystem continues to lose its color, beauty, and life.
12 Then: A Colorful Habitat For Countless Species
Prior to the tangible influence of global warming and the impact of the tourism industry in the area, the Great Barrier Reef was flourishing as a diverse habitat for all kinds of underwater creatures to call home.
What most people don't realize, however, is that the damage to the reef as a result of bleaching and tourism does not concern the entirety of the reef (thank God).
Marine biologist Rachael Jones stated, refreshingly, that in her region of study, they "haven't had any significant bleaching or coral disease because we're on the southern part of the Great Barrier Reef. I just keep seeing the diversity of life here every day because we're a green zone — you can't fish, you can't take anything, everything's protected by law."
11 Now: A Mostly Dull And Bleak Picture
It might be tough to see the stark contrast between a turtle swimming above a rainbow of flourishing coral and another turtle hovering above a sheet of lifeless, bleached seabed. While it is a terrible reality, without a doubt, we can take solace in the fact that the damage is mostly situated in the northern part of the reef.
Even though it was severely impacted by the coral bleaching event as well as two cyclones in the space of five years, the media has portrayed it as if the entire ecosystem is under threat. Fortunately, there are still plenty of areas that are thriving which are out of reach for tourists.
10 Then: Before Cyclone Debbie Rampaged
On March 28th, 2017, Cyclone Debbie turned toward the popular Queensland coastal town of Airlie Beach, tearing through houses and shelters and leaving the paradise looking more like something out of a post-apocalyptic film.
While not as obvious to the naked eye, the effects of Debbie stretched far beyond the mainland and well into the fragile structures of the Great Barrier Reef. Prior to her impact, the reef was a colorful artwork of underwater species that was already facing enough trouble, battling against climate change and over-tourism. The reef systems have a natural mechanism to revive after storms (old corals make way for new), but Debbie's impact was particularly strong and destructive.
9 Now: Coral Bleaching Taking Its Toll
Apart from the impact of tourism in the region and the devastating Cyclone Debbie, which ripped apart the tourist town of Airlie Beach and plenty of the underwater systems, the main reason for parts of our beloved Great Barrier Reef deteriorating is coral bleaching. We've thrown that concept around a few times already, but what exactly is it?
Essentially, coral bleaching is the ecosystem raising the white flag in the battle against global warming. It's a visual, tangible change that forces humanity to realize the impact that our actions are having.
The worst bleaching event by far occurred in 2016 and was triggered by record-breaking temperatures on the ocean's surface.
8 Then: Thriving Orpheus Island
Not too long ago, the ecosystem on the northeast of Orpheus Island was thriving. Once dubbed as a secluded Great Barrier Reef Island that offers immaculate coastlines and a truly memorable tropical escape by Australia.com, this was truly an under-the-sea wonder.
Unfortunately, like many other islands in the popular regions of the reef, Orpheus Island has suffered from the effects of global warming, natural disasters, and tourism. Its position on the shoreline makes it more susceptible to damage from powerful winds, rising shorelines, and strong waves.
7 Now: Not-So-Thriving Orpheus Island
When comparing these photos, the difference is more than clear - one's a thriving ecosystem, and the other is an eroded, damaged shell of what once was.
Over the years, Orpheus Island has become a popular base for travelers and marine enthusiasts wanting to explore the vibrant ecosystems around the Palm Island Group. It attracts a handful of extra tourists during the summer months when there's a good chance of spotting a few Humpback Whales en route to the Yanks Jetty. Unfortunately, this spike in tourism is part of the reason for its downfall.
6 Then: The World's Large Coral Reef System
As briefly mentioned, The Great Barrier Reef is one of the world’s largest structures built entirely by living organisms. Stretching for miles and miles, this expansive reef system, located off the coast of Queensland, is truly a magnificent sight to see. Undoubtedly, when visiting Australia, this stunning piece of Mother Nature’s work is more often than not atop many people's travel and explorer bucket lists. Made of thousands and thousands of individual reefs, there is no denying the importance of this particular colorful and intricate ecosystem.
5 Now: The Great Barrier Reef Has Lost Over Half Its Corals
As of the year 2021, scientists have reported that nearly half of the once thriving Great Barrier Reef is gone. Now coral-less in more than a few spots, many can't help but wonder what will become of this expansive system if nothing changes or if the current contributing factors persist. Previously accounting for half the world's coral, this is definitely a significant problem—we cannot ignore. One such factor that is still having disastrous effects on the Barrier Reef is tourism, and it shows no signs of slowing down any time soon.
4 Then: Tourists Didn't Realize Their Impact
Tourists used to (and continue to this day) flock from all corners of the world to dive, snorkel, and swim in the vibrant and picturesque waters of the world-renowned Great Barrier Reef.
Unfortunately, this popularity has had a direct correlation with the deterioration of trafficked regions of the reef. Divers unintentionally brush against coral or take a little piece home for themselves. The boats that transport tourists to and from the dive zones can rip apart shallow groups of coral if they take a wrong turn too.
Tourists are finally starting to recognize the impact they're having on the coral reef and - better late than never - doing something about it. Marine biologist Rachael Jones says, "tourists are more worried about the reef than previously because of the way it is portrayed in the media."
3 Now: Temperatures Continue To Rise
Over the last 110 years, Australia's oceans have increased in temperate by one degree. That might seem like nothing, but for such a small number, it's incredibly dangerous. The increase has caused sea levels to rise and acidity in the oceans to increase, and they're predicted to continue in this direction as well.
According to Great Barrier Reef Foundation and Senior Australian Scientist Dr. Helen Cleugh, "Australia's temperatures will almost certainly continue to increase over the coming decades. A pattern of extremely hot days and fewer cooling-off periods are expected to affect both land and sea."
2 Then: A Massive Reef Visible From Space
The Great Barrier Reef is by far the world's largest coral reef system and is easily visible from not just inner, but also outer space. It stretches for some 2,300 kilometers or 1,400 miles covering an area of around 133,000 square miles. It is the world's largest single structure made by living organisms.
The Great Barrier Reef is made up of countless billions of coral, and it forms one of the greatest natural marvels in the world. The biodiversity it supports is astounding, and it is something everyone interested in diving or snorkeling should discover. And discover now before it is too late. In the United States, there have been many efforts to make artificial reefs.
1 Now: It's Not All Doom And Gloom - It Has Somewhat Recovered
Bleaching runs the risk of becoming permanent and the coral dying. Fortunately, this hasn't happened yet. CNBC reported in August 2022 that two-thirds of the Great Barrier Reef had recorded the highest amount of coral cover in nearly four decades. So the reef has some ability to recover from these damaging events.
That being said the massive reef remains at risk of climate change and mass bleaching. Particularly the southern parts of the reef are vulnerable. The southern parts have seen a loss in coral, while the central and northern parts have experienced some recovery.
NEXT: 10 Things Most People Don’t Know About Australia Until They Get There