Effects of Disrupting Ecosystems

The Great Barrier Reef is a major contributor to biodiversity and overall health to the world's oceans. It is said to be one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world and contributes to the planet in more ways than most people know.

Because it is such a delicate environment, it is important when visiting the reef that you leave it exactly as it was when you came. This means visitors are not to take away any plants, animals, rocks or sand away from the reef, including coral and shells. Maintaining the balance of life on the reef is extremely important, and it is paramount to remember that it must be maintained for future generations to come.

A healthy reef ecosystem is important to the overall health of the world's oceans because it maintains biodiversity, which in turn provides a place to naturally recycle and purify air and water, as well as break down pollutants. It provides a place for animals species to continue to flourish, promoting healthy and diverse marine species. A healthy and active reef protects the mainland coastlines by breaking the waves that would otherwise reach the shore, decreasing damaging effects of wave action and tropical storms. It also provides habitats and shelter for many marine organisms, including many species of fish, marine turtles, rays and sharks. On the more scientific side, it provides a source of nitrogen and other essentials nutrients to the ocean and marine food chains, as well as assists in carbon and nitrogen fixing.

Disrupting this ecosystem can have catastrophic effects that can reach far outside the Great Barrier Reef itself. Indirectly, the fishing industry can be affected, as some marine species use the Great Barrier Reef as breeding grounds, with hatchlings using the reefs for shelter and protection allowing them to grow to adulthood. Without a healthy reef to visit, industries such as tourism would be directly affected, taking away from the overall economy. Disrupting this delicate ecosystem is a domino effect that could alter the health of the oceans worldwide, affecting global diversity, allowing for a collapse in some marine species worldwide.

The biggest modern threats to the health of the reef if climate change and pollution, both of which can catastrophically affect this delicate ecosystem. Although resilient, major changes to the temperature of the water or a large influx of chemicals can cause coral bleaching, extinction of species and reduced biodiversity. It is important that we take care to curb both global warming and pollutants going into the oceans to that our reef can remain healthy and continue to flourish and thrive.

Healthy ecosystems, especially ones with such importance of the Great Barrier Reef, contribute to the health of our planet in unfathomable ways and it is our duty as its protectors to make sure it stays healthy for future generations.