THE GREAT BARRIER REEF THE GREAT BARRIER REEF (homereading A. Nesvit, form IX) Prepared by Kravchuk I.M. School 5 Rivne

The Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest coral reef systemcomposed of over 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands stretching for over 2,600 kilometres (1,600 mi) over an area of approximately 344,400 square kilometres (133,000 sq mi). The reef is located in the Coral Sea, off the coast of Queensland, Australia. The Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest coral reef systemcomposed of over 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands stretching for over 2,600 kilometres (1,600 mi) over an area of approximately 344,400 square kilometres (133,000 sq mi). The reef is located in the Coral Sea, off the coast of Queensland, Australia.

The Great Barrier Reef can be seen from outer space and is the world's biggest single structure made by living organisms The Great Barrier Reef can be seen from outer space and is the world's biggest single structure made by living organisms

This reef structure is composed of and built by billions of tiny organisms, known as coral polyps.

It supports a wide diversity of life and was selected as a World Heritage Site in 1981.

CNN labeled it one of the seven natural wonders of the world CNN labeled it one of the seven natural wonders of the world. The Queensland National Trust named it a state icon of Queensland.

A large part of the reef is protected by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, which helps to limit the impact of human use, such as fishing and tourism.

Other environmental pressures on the reef and its ecosystem include runoff, climate change accompanied by mass coral bleaching, and cyclic population outbreaks of the crown-of-thorns starfish. According to a study published on 1 October 2012 by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the reef has lost more than half its coral cover since 1985.

The reef is a very popular destination for tourists, especially in the Whitsunday Islands and Cairns regions. Tourism is an important economic activity for the region, generating $1 billion per year.

- Have you ever seen corals? - What do you know about them?

The Great Barrier Reef consists of more than 3,400 individual reefs and 700 islands stretching a distance of 2,300 km from Torres Strait to Lady Elliot Island. With the continental shelf not far below the ocean’s surface, and washed by the warm waters of the South Pacific Ocean, the perfect environment was created for the world’s largest system of coral reefs. The conditions and water temperature are ideal for colonies of Liny coral polyps. They create this unique marine environment where the most colourful of the sea’s life forms live so close to the surface that most can be easily observed. Beneath the turquoise tropical waters there is a world of activity as millions of tiny animals live out their lives building the reef. Corals are among the most beautiful of marine organisms.

When they colonise a site, they develop the colours and complex structures for which the reef is renowncd. Corals are simple, primitive organisms that have lived in tropicid seas for about 500 million years. While the size, shape and colour of coral formations ary immensely, they are all the work of one type of reature. Just as beautiful as the coral of the reef are the plants and animals that live there. About 1,500 species of fish are known to live in the reef region, and a half of them may be seen on a single reef. The islands of the reef are of two main types: ‘low islands’ and ‘continental islands’ . Low islands are the coral cays formed by the accumulation of sand and coral parts.

Examples are Green Island and Heron Island Examples are Green Island and Heron Island. Continental islands are the inn: ; of the mainland that have been cut off by the changes in the sea level, and some lie quite close to the coast and rise from the water. Most have coral reefs around and are thickly vegetated. The shorelines of some continental islands have white sandy beaches and others are bordered by uangroves. The islands of the Whitsunday Group are among these continental islands. The waters of the Great Barrier Reef were declared the Marine Park in 1975, helping to maintain and conserve a unique and particxdarly beautiful natural wonder. The Marine Park Authority limits human Activity on the reef and allocates areas for a specific range of activities. This careful management of one of the wonders of the world will it will be hen1 for future generations to enjoy. (Taken from Aroiiml Anslrnll)

Choose the correct words from the text to complete the sentences. The conditions and water temperature are ideal for colonies o f ..... coral polyps. 2. Corals are among the most beautiful o f organisms. 3. They develop the colours and complex structures for which the reef is ....... 4. While the size, shape and colour of coral formations............ , they are all the work of one type o f ....... 5. Low islands are the coral...... formed b y of sand and coral parts. 6. Continental islands are ...... of the mainland that have been cut off by the changes in the sea level. 7. The Marine Park Authority limits human activity on the reef and..... areas for a specific range of activities.

Find the words in the story to talk about: • the world’s largest system of coral reefs; • types of coral islands; • the Marine Park.

Work in pairs. Discuss the questions. How many reefs and inlands does the Great Barrier Reef consist of? 2. What conditions are ideal for colonies of tiny coral polyps? 3. What are the main types of the Islands of the reef? 4. What is the Marine Park?

Read and say if the statements are true or false. The Great Barrier Reef consists of more than 3,400 individual reefs and 700 islands stretching a distance of 2,300 km. Corals are among the most colourful of marine organisms. Corals are simple, primitive organisms that have lived in tropical seas for about 2 million years. Just as beautiful as the coral of the reef are the plants and animals that live there. About 100 species of fish are known to live in the reef region, and a half of them may be seen on a single reef. The islands of the reef are of two main types: ‘low islands’ and ‘continental islands’ . Some continental islands lie far from the coast and rise from the water. The Marine Park Authority limits human activity on the reef and allocates areas for a specific range of activities.

Complete the sentences given below. The Great Barrier Reef consists o f ....... With the continental shelf not far below the ocean’s surface....... Corals a re ....... About 1,500 species of fish....... The islands of the reef are of two main types....... ....... are bordered by mangroves. ....... were declared the Marine Park in 1975.

You are a journalist and your classmate is a representative of the Marine Park Authorities. Make an interview using the information from the text. Role-play the interview in class.