Coastal development

Coastal development, primarily driven by land use, mining and industry, population growth, urban infrastructure and port development, significantly affects the Great Barrier Reef. The highest risk threats associated with coastal development are clearing or modifying wetlands, mangroves and other coastal ecosystems.

A main factor driving habitat loss is the increasing human population in the Great Barrier Reef catchment. Current projections estimate that a human population of nearly 1.5 million people will reside in the Great Barrier Reef catchment by 2026, a 40 per cent increase from the current population.

Without adequate planning and careful environmental management, this growth could increase pollution and sedimentation, decrease water quality and change land and water connections. The growth in human population is likely to substantially increase use of the Great Barrier Reef, particularly in areas close to population centres.

In many areas, population growth is severely stretching local government infrastructure and facilities and leading to degradation of coastal ecosystems. A growing population leads to an increase in infrastructure and services. If these are poorly planned and implemented the impacts may change the land and sea connections and result in loss of long term health and function of the Great Barrier Reef.

Climate change

Risks and pressures related to climate change are particularly relevant to coastal ecosystems and the Reef.

These impacts to the Reef and its supporting coastal ecosystems include increasing surface temperatures, frequency of severe weather events, rising sea levels and ocean acidification.