Management Concern: Moderate    

Adequacy of Information: Good

Summary extracts from Outlook Report 2009

• There is no evidence of more frequent cyclones, but there is evidence of increased intensity.
• The relationship between El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events and climate change remains largely unknown.  Given the importance of ENSO to inter-annual climate variability along the Great Barrier Reef, the uncertainty of the effects of climate change mean future changes to rainfall, river flow and tropical cyclones are difficult to predict.

What do we know?

Relevant pages from Outlook Online include:

• Climate variations influence the shape of cays and islands on the Great Barrier Reef
  
• Number and severity of cyclones occurring in the Great Barrier Reef Region 1970-2006
  
• An atlas of tropical cyclones in the Great Barrier Reef 1969-1997
  
• Bureau of Meteorology – Tropical Cyclone Trends 

Existing policies and management actions

• Australian Government policy on climate change 
• Queensland Government climate change policies and strategies 
• Climate Change Action Plan 2007-2012

Future management requirements

• Future management requirements in this area are being guided by ongoing assessment of emerging research outcomes and issues identified by the Great Barrier Reef Outlook Report 2009.

Defined research questions

• To what extent are tropical cyclone patterns changing in North Queensland?

Related information

• Current Research and Monitoring