Ecosystems at Risk: Great Barrier Reef

As Australia's lead managers of the Great Barrier Reef, we work with government, industry and the community to protect this great natural wonder. Here are some of the broad range of programs and projects underway to manage and protect the Great Barrier Reef.

The Great Barrier Reef is one of the seven natural wonders of the world and visible from space. It’s 2,300 kilometres long and covers an area larger than New Zealand. From wetlands and rivers to beaches and coral reefs, the Reef’s habitats are home to a stunning array of species.

Our Reef is under pressure from multiple human activities and natural threats. The biggest threat is climate change. Other more local challenges include poor water quality due to land-based pollution, pests such as the coral-eating crown-of-thorns starfish, fishing and coastal development. The Reef goes through cycles of disturbance and recovery and conditions can vary across locations.

Located off the coast of Queensland, this vibrant reef ecosystem is one of the world's seven natural wonders and a prized UNESCO World Heritage Area. It holds the title of the largest coral reef system and the biggest living structure on the planet, and millions of people travel across the world every year to marvel at this treasure trove of marine life.
The Reef has a global reputation for its crystal clear waters, kaleidoscopic corals, and more than nine hundred picturesque islands. This network of marine sanctuaries holds unparalleled ecological importance, serving as a haven for thousands of plants and animals.
Sadly, the Great Barrier Reef is under pressure. Climate change, rising temperatures and human interference threaten its survival. We need to take action to protect and preserve this natural wonder for years to come.

Climate change is the single biggest threat facing the Reef. The Great Barrier Reef is being affected in a number of ways: Coral bleaching, Ocean acidification, Severe weather events, Habitat changes.

As the world’s most extensive coral reef ecosystem, the Great Barrier Reef is a globally outstanding and significant entity. Practically the entire ecosystem was inscribed as World Heritage in 1981, covering an area of 348,000 square kilometres and extending across a contiguous latitudinal range of 14o (10oS to 24oS). The Great Barrier Reef (hereafter referred to as GBR) includes extensive cross-shelf diversity, stretching from the low water mark along the mainland coast up to 250 kilometres offshore. This wide depth range includes vast shallow inshore areas, mid-shelf and outer reefs, and beyond the continental shelf to oceanic waters over 2,000 metres deep.