Print PageOutlook Online 2009
Interaction of climate change with herbivory
Management Concern: Low
Adequacy of Information: Low
Summary extracts from Outlook Report 2009
- Populations of herbivorous fish are healthy and generally not under pressure; however larger herbivores, like dugongs, have declined along the urban coast.
- Almost all Great Barrier Reef species will be affected by climate change, some seriously.
What do we know?
Relevant pages from Outlook Online include:
- Macroalgae, nutrients and phase shifts on coral reefs
- Effects of competition and herbivory on interactions between hard coral and a brown alga
- Catastrophies, phase shifts and large scale degradation of a Caribbean reef
- Effects of herbivores and water quality on Sargassum
[1.74Mb] - Reef degradation and coral biodiversity in Indonesia: Effects of land-based pollution, destructive fishing practices and changes over time
- State of herbivorous fish populations
- Not all herbivores eat the same thing: diversity in herbivory is important
- Cross-shelf variation in the role of parrotfishes on the Great Barrier Reef
- Role of marine turtles in ecological communities
- Restoring sea turtles populations to fulfil their ecological roles
- Vulnerability of macroalgae of the Great Barrier Reef to climate change
- Vulnerability of seagrasses in the Great Barrier Reef to climate change
- Vulnerability of fishes of the Great Barrier Reef to climate change
- Vulnerability of marine reptiles in the Great Barrier Reef to climate change
- Vulnerability of marine mammals in the Great Barrier Reef to climate change
Existing policies and management actions
- The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Zoning Plan
- Australian Government policy on climate change
- Queensland Government climate change policies and strategies
- Climate Change Action Plan 2007-2012
Future management requirements
- Planned development of a GBRMPA Position Statement on herbivorous fish
- Biodiversity strategy
Defined research questions
- What will be the interaction dynamics between algae, coral polyps and herbivores under different climate scenarios?
Related information
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Free Zoning Maps
If you're heading out on the water, don't forget your free Zoning Map so you know where you can go and what you can do.
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Whale of a time
The Great Barrier Reef is a hive of activity. If you're lucky enough to see a humpback whale from May to September, make sure you keep a safe distance.
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Important milestone
We're delighted to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park's World Heritage listing.
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Visit the Reef
Visit our Great Barrier Reef and discover its amazing plants, animals and habitats. There are a range of tourism experiences on offer.
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What you can do
Everyone has a role to play in protecting our Great Barrier Reef. Find out what you can do to help protect this Great Australian icon.
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Report marine strandings
If you see sick, dead or stranded marine animals please call RSPCA QLD 1300 ANIMAL
(1300 264 625) -
Climate Change and the Great Barrier Reef
A Vulnerability Assessment: of the issues that could have far-reaching consequences for the Great Barrier Reef.
