Hutchings, P. A., Kingsford, M. J., and Hoegh-Guldberg, Ove (2019) Introduction to the Great Barrier Reef. In: Hutchings, Pat, Kingsford, Michael, and Hoegh-Guldberg, Ove, (eds.) Great Barrier Reef: Biology, Environment and Management. CSIRO Publishing, Clayton South, VIC, Australia, pp. 1-5.

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Abstract

[Extract:] The Great Barrier Reef (GBR) is one of the world’s most spectacular natural features and one of the few biological structures visible from space (Fig. 1.1). The sheer size of the GBR Marine Park (over 360 000 km2 ), as well as its beauty and biodiversity, draws people from all over the world. The reef stretches over 2200 km from subtropical waters (~27°S) to the tropical waters of Torres Strait (8°S) and as far as 400 km from the coast to the outer shelf slope. For Australians, the reef is a source of much pride and enjoyment. The GBR is one of the most prominent icons of Australia, with the majority of visitors coming specifically to Australia to see it. This drawcard for visitors underpins substantial income from industries such as tourism and commercial and recreational fisheries. What is perhaps surprising about the value generated by this extraordinary ecosystem for Australia is how little we know about the reefs that make up the GBR. We are still struggling to describe the myriad of species and processes that define the GBR – all with an urgency now that is heightened by the unprecedented local and global pressures that currently face it.

Item ID:	62436
Item Type:	Book Chapter (Scholarly Work)
ISSN:	978-1-4863-0820-0
Copyright Information:	© Australian Coral Reef Society
Date Deposited:	06 Mar 2020 04:10
FoR Codes:	05 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES > 0501 Ecological Applications > 050102 Ecosystem Function @ 100%
SEO Codes:	96 ENVIRONMENT > 9605 Ecosystem Assessment and Management > 960503 Ecosystem Assessment and Management of Coastal and Estuarine Environments @ 0% 96 ENVIRONMENT > 9605 Ecosystem Assessment and Management > 960507 Ecosystem Assessment and Management of Marine Environments @ 100%
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