Kingsford, M. J., and Wolanski, E. (2019) Oceanography. In: Hutchings, Pat, Kingsford, Michael, and Hoegh-Guldberg, Ove, (eds.) The Great Barrier Reef. Biology, Environment and Management. CSIRO Publishing, Clayton South, VIC, Australia, pp. 37-49.

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Abstract

[Extract:] Oceanography affects organisms of the GBR and the nature of contemporary geological processes. The coral reefs that form the GBR are scattered over the continental shelf, which is shallow and fringed by the deep water of the Coral Sea (Fig. 4.1). The oceanography of the GBR influences the transport of sediment and the deposition of material to the substratum, as well as contemporary geological processes by eroding and shaping reefs; it controls the dispersion of organisms of the GBR. Indeed, organisms of all sizes are affected by oceanography: waterborne plankton, eggs and larvae have limited control of their horizontal movements and, therefore, transport and dispersion will be influenced by currents. Cyclonic waves and currents destroy reef structures, kill organisms and alter the nature of habitats. Habitat-forming corals are becoming increasingly impacted by climate change and the bleaching that results when they are exposed to very warm waters. Changes in habitats can in turn affect organisms that typically ‘respond’ to different habitat types and the influence of oceanography on habitats can influence broadscale patterns of biogeography. The richness of inter-reefal and reef based flora and fauna are strongly influenced by nutrient input from rivers and their dispersal by the oceanography, and upwelling over the shelf break.

Item ID:	57204
Item Type:	Book Chapter (Research - B1)
ISBN:	9781486308200
Copyright Information:	Copyright © 2019 CSIRO Publishing. All rights reserved.
Date Deposited:	06 Mar 2020 00:22
FoR Codes:	37 EARTH SCIENCES > 3707 Hydrology > 370704 Surface water hydrology @ 100%
SEO Codes:	91 ECONOMIC FRAMEWORK > 9199 Other Economic Framework > 919902 Ecological Economics @ 100%
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