The Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest coral reef system. It is located in the Coral Sea, off the coast of Queensland in northeastern Australia. The reef stretches for over 2,300 kilometres and covers an area of approximately 344,400 square kilometres. It is so large that it can be seen from outer space.

The Great Barrier Reef is made up of over 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands. It is home to an enormous variety of sea life. More than 1,500 species of fish, 4,000 types of mollusc, and 240 species of bird live in or around the reef. It is also an important habitat for threatened species, including the dugong and the large green turtle.

Coral reefs are built by tiny creatures called coral polyps. These small animals build hard skeletons from calcium in the water. Over thousands of years, these skeletons form the rocky structures we call coral reefs. The colours that we see in coral reefs come from algae that live inside the coral.

The Great Barrier Reef is currently in danger. Rising ocean temperatures, caused by climate change, lead to a process called coral bleaching. When water becomes too warm, corals lose the algae that give them their colour and nutrients. Without the algae, the coral turns white and may eventually die. Large areas of the Great Barrier Reef have already been affected by bleaching.

Water pollution is another serious threat. Chemicals from farms and cities run into the sea and damage the reef. Crown-of-thorns starfish, which eat coral, have also appeared in large numbers in recent decades.

Despite these threats, the Great Barrier Reef remains one of the most biodiverse places on Earth. The Australian government and environmental groups are working to protect it. In 1981, the reef was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List, recognising its outstanding natural value.

The Great Barrier Reef is not only important for the animals that live there. It also protects coastlines from waves and storms, and it supports the livelihoods of thousands of people who work in fishing and tourism.