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Science and information about key issues

The conservation and sustainable use of the natural assets of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park requires that we understand the major issues and pressures facing the organisms that live there. By directing research to these issues and pressures, we ensure that management decisions are based on the best available science.coral garden

Some of these key issues include:

  • Biodiversity and protected species
  • Water quality and the Great Barrier Reef
  • Science behind Marine Protected Areas
  • The ecological effects of Green Zones
  • Fish and fisheries
  • Crown-of-thorns starfish
  • People and the Marine Park
  • Resilience
  • Climate change and coral bleaching.

While there is a large body of research on coral reef ecosystems in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, other non-reefal areas such as shoals and deep reef habitats have received little attention. For a summary of the research and state of knowledge about the various habitats, plants and animals of the Great Barrier Reef, including issues and pressures, see the State of the Great Barrier Reef Report.

Biodiversity and protected species

Recently hatched turtle swimming towards the deep oceanBiodiversity is a concept that is used to describe the variety of all plants and animals, together with the places they live and the natural processes that keep them alive. We rely on biodiversity for a diverse range of social, economic and cultural benefits. Australia has been recognised by scientists as a global centre of biodiversity. By protecting the biodiversity of Australia and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, we are protecting our future and our children's future. 

Many species in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park are facing increasing pressures from natural and human sources. The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) aims to identify species that are threatened, iconic or at risk and works to conserve such species by developing appropriate management actions.

Further information

Water quality and the Great Barrier Reef

There is scientific consensus that declining water quality is a significant threat to the long-term health of the Great Barrier Reef. The Queensland Government and Australian Government have launched the Reef Water Quality Protection Plan to address this issue.

Further information

Science behind Marine Protected Areas

There is a large amount of research on Marine Protected Areas, their design, implementation and effectiveness. The Zoning Plan for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park includes Marine National Park (Green) Zones. These 'no-take' areas aim to protect the biodiversity within them from all extractive activities like fishing or collecting. Find out more about science behind the zoning of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

The Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts has prepared a brochure summarising the benefits of Marine Protected Areas. 

The first International Marine Protected Areas Congress (IMPAC1) was held in October 2005 in Geelong, Victoria. More than 660 international marine experts from 78 countries shared their knowledge and expertise in how to best manage Marine Protected Areas around the world. Information on a range of issues such as compliance, community engagement, aquaculture, spawning aggregations and rezoning on the Great Barrier Reef can be obtained from the proceedings as well as information on how different countries manage their Marine Protected Areas.

Ecological effects of Green Zones

In July 2004, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park was rezoned to better protect its biodiversity. Zoning is the primary tool by which activities are managed in the Marine Park. The GBRMPA has embarked on a major research programme with scientists from the Australian Institute of Marine Science and James Cook University to monitor the ecological effects of the rezoning. Find out more about the research project and view preliminary results.

Fish and fisheriesCoral cod

Many different species of fishes occur in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and are affected by both human and natural pressures. Fishing is the predominant extractive activity in the Marine Park and includes major commercial fisheries as well as dive-based fisheries and recreational fisheries. The management of fish stocks and fisheries involves a range of issues and many stakeholders.

Further information 

Crown-of-thorns starfish

Crown-of-thorns starfish are natural inhabitants on coral reefs around the world however, when they reach outbreak proportions they can cause significant disturbance to the reefs and could have a long-term detrimental effect on the abundance and community dynamics of corals.

Further information 

  • A summary of the science and issues regarding crown-of-thorn starfish on the Great Barrier Reef can be found in the State of the Great Barrier Reef Report.
  • Declining water quality and the removal of predators are proposed reasons for crown-of-thorns starfish outbreaks. Both issues are being addressed in the management of the Marine Park.
  • Broadscale surveys of crown-of-thorns starfish are carried out by the Australian Institute of Marine Science whereas fine-scale surveys have been carried out by the CRC Reef Research Centre. A summary of information about crown-of-thorns starfish is available from the Australian Institute of Marine Science.

People and the Marine Park: Social and Economic Information

The Great Barrier Reef has different meanings and values to different people and communities. Some people rely on the Great Barrier Reef for their livelihood, while others may not have visited the area. People living further away in other states and cities throughout Australia may also have differing values and perceptions of the Great Barrier Reef.

To better understand the management issues facing the Reef, the GBRMPA needs to understand how different people use, value and interact with the reef and each other. Understanding these wants, needs and requirements of the community is crucial for effective Marine Park management.

The GBRMPA carries out research on the social, cultural and economic dimensions of the Great Barrier Reef, and is committed to working with the community through community based partnerships and community monitoring programmes.

Further information

Resilience

Ecological resilience is the ability of an ecosystem to absorb impacts and disturbances and to recover from them. Resilience is an important concept in coral reef ecology. Coral reefs and other marine ecosystems are affected by a large number of disturbances and in normal circumstances they would recover. However, if their resilience is reduced they may not be able to recover as well as they normally would. In some cases, the ecosystems that we see today are not as resilient and pristine as they once were. People seeing these ecosystems for the first time may believe what they are seeing is an intact and pristine ecosystem when in fact it is merely a shadow of its former self. This is known as shifting baselines.

Find out more about shifting baselines.

Find out more about resilience.

Climate change and coral bleaching

Diver surveys bleached soft coral

Diver surveying a bleached soft coral

There is scientific and political consensus that climate change is occurring on a global scale, and that the evidence linking these changes to human activities is stronger than ever. Changes to temperature, ocean currents, upwelling, ocean chemistry and sea level rise will have serious implications for a wide range of animals and plants as well as habitats and potentially whole ecosystems on the Great Barrier Reef and worldwide. Find out more about Climate Change and the Great Barrier Reef, and the Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment.





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