HUMAN EFFECT ON THE DESTRUCTION OF THE GREAT BARRIER REEF Helen Fish, Rebecca Ofri, Eda Zhang, and Peter Zuraw Global Residential College

What is the Great Barrier Reef? Located off the coast of Queensland, Australia World’s largest single structure made by living organisms. It is the main habitat for animals and underwater life Spans over 344, 000 square kilometers; composed of 600 islands and 3, 000 individual reef systems

Introduction Destruction of the Great Barrier Reef due to: Pollution Climate Change Ocean Acidification

POLLUTION

Littering and Abundance of Trash Trash gets into rivers/streams 7 billion tons of litter is released into ocean every year Animals try to eat toxic garbage or get stuck in it

Agriculture Pesticides, fertilizers and chemicals Animal waste Poisonous phosphorus and nitrogen

CLIMATE CHANGE

What is Climate Change? Long-term shift in weather conditions caused by changes in temperature, precipitation, winds patterns Natural causes: changes in the Earth’s orbit, the sun’s intensity, the circulation of the ocean and the atmosphere, and volcanic activity Human causes: burning fossil fuels, down forests, and developing land for farms, cities, and roads. These activities all release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Contributes to global warming

Rising Sea Temperatures Corals live within a limited temperature range, from 77℉ - 84℉ When temperatures exceed their temperature range, corals move to a state of thermal stress Under thermal stress, corals expel algae, called zooxanthellae This results in corals taking on a white appearance, known as “coral bleaching” Coral bleaching can lead to the death of corals

Rising Sea Levels Two major causes: thermal expansion (caused by rising sea temperatures) and melting of land-based ice Sea-level rise increases sedimentation, that interferes with photosynthesis Coral reefs and their algal cells require clean and clear water, so sunlight can reach them

OCEAN ACIDIFICATION

Caused by agricultural and industrial processes used by humans Fundamental changes in seawater chemistry are occurring throughout the world's oceans The release of carbon dioxide (CO2) from humankind's industrial and agricultural activities has increased the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere The ocean absorbs about a quarter of the CO2 we release into the atmosphere every year

Climate change alters ocean chemistry leading to ocean acidification Carbon dioxide that enters the atmosphere dissolves into the ocean Oceans have absorbed about ⅓ the carbon dioxide produced from human activities since 1800 and about ½ of the carbon dioxide produced by burning fossil fuels. As carbon dioxide in the ocean increases, ocean pH decreases and becomes more acidic, leading to ocean acidification.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Recommendations/Solutions Individuals can take action on their own to help out. Spreading ideas through organizations from the local level to the national can spread awareness. Things like: Not polluting the world’s oceans Stopping excess water runoff Planting trees to reduce emissions Conserving water Creating artificial reefs

Exploring coral Often times coral can be hurt by those who want to enjoy its beauty when they touch, break, or anchor in the coral. Divers must be sure to refrain from touching coral Keep boats away from shallow areas with coral Sticking to the right areas when diving

International Involvement However, while these are important to aid the health of coral, there is only one true way to guarantee their survival: Reversal of climate change IGO’s and NGO’s Working together to substantially reduce emissions Alternative energy sources More regulations to keep the reef safe

Conclusion Humans have been a burden to the Great Barrier Reef and caused issues through pollution, climate change, and ocean acidification Recommendations and solutions: Individuals helping on a local level makes a difference 2. Careful exploration of the world’s coral 3. Cooperation of international and transnational organizations to focus and end climate change.

Work Cited "Conservation of the Great Barrier Reef Australia - WWF.", accessed Oct 24, 2017, http://www.wwf.org.au/what-we-do/oceans/great-barrier-reef/great-barrier-reef. Griffith, Hywel. 2016. "Barrier Reef Coral Bleaching 'Worst Ever'." BBC News, -11-28. http://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-38127320. Cave, Damien and Justin Gillis. 2017. "Large Sections of Australia’s Great Reef are Now Dead, Scientists Find." The New York Times, -03-15. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/15/science/great-barrier-reef-coral-climate-change-dieoff.html. Cheal, Alistair J., Shaun K. Wilson, Michael J. Emslie, Andrew M. Dolman, and Hugh Sweatman. "Responses of Reef Fish Communities to Coral Declines on the Great Barrier Reef." Marine Ecology Progress Series 372 (2008): 211-23. http://www.jstor.org/stable/24872731. "Mangroves in the Face of Climate Change." Reef Resilience. August 30, 2016. Accessed December 01, 2017. http://www.reefresilience.org/coral-reefs/stressors/climate-and-ocean-change/sea-level-rise/.

Work Cited Continued Fidelman, Pedro I.J. "Climate Change Adaptation in the Great Barrier Reef Iconic National Park System." The George Wright Forum 31, no. 3 (2014): 270-79. http://www.jstor.org/stable/43598383. "Coral Reef Biodiversity." Coral Reef Alliance. Accessed December 01, 2017. https://coral.org/coral-reefs-101/coral-reef-ecology/coral-reef-biodiversity/. "Biodiversity." Australia Government - Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority. Accessed December 01, 2017. http://www.gbrmpa.gov.au/about-the-reef/biodiversity. "Impacts of rising sea temperatures on the Reef." Australia Government - Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority. Accessed December 01, 2017. http://www.gbrmpa.gov.au/managing-the-reef/threats-to-the-reef/climate-change/how-climate-change-can-affect-the-reef/rising-sea-temperatures. Google Images

Q & A