Hello ladies and gents this is the Viking telling you that today we are talking about
Amazing Facts About The Great Barrier Reef
One of the 5 natural wonders of the world, the Great Barrier Reef is located off the coast of Australia’s Queensland and is home to a vast array of marine life.
Adventures around this spectacular area can take place from the air, by boat, or by diving beneath the waves and swimming alongside the spectacular corals. You’ve probably seen and heard a lot about this underwater wonderland but in case you haven’t, here’s everything you need to know…
1. It is the world’s largest reef system
With almost 3,000 individual reefs, 900 islands, and stretching for 2,600km there is no denying the reef is massive. This incredible living system can even be viewed from space. If you want to get an idea of size, then imagine the country of Italy lying just off the coast of Australia and you begin to get an idea of its vastness.
2. It is home to an incredible diversity of species
Attempting to list all the species here would be a challenge to say the least so here are some of the most impressive groups that the reef is home to:
30 species of whale, dolphin, and porpoise
6 species of turtle
17 species of sea snake
More than 1,500 species of fish – incredibly, 10% of the world’s fish species inhabit the Great Barrier Reef.
3. Corals are alive
So what is a coral, you ask? Corals are formed by tiny creatures called polyps that have a sac-like body with emerging tentacles. Corals gain their rock-like structure from the polyps as they use calcium and carbonate ions from the seawater to create a hard outer skeleton to protect their soft bodies. These polyps survive due to their relationship with the algae that live alongside them. The algae absorb light from the sun and subsequently feed the coral. The algae also give the corals their bright colours. Corals are, in fact, nocturnal and it is under the cover of darkness that the polyps emerge from their outer casings to catch small creatures that pass by.
4. The reef is further out than you may think
Whilst coral reefs thrive in warm, shallow waters, these are not always close to shore. A barrier reef is defined as a coral reef running parallel to the shore but separated by a large lagoon. Visitors to the reef may be surprised that their boat trip could take between 45 minutes and 2 hours to reach the dive site so remember your travel sickness pills if it’s a windy day!
5. The threats to the reef are numerous
Sadly, the reef is struggling to survive with climate change being the main threat. Rising sea temperatures and pollution leave the coral more susceptible to bleaching and, tragically, eventual death. Tourism can also play a role, with swimmers and divers touching and damaging parts of the reef as well as leaving behind rubbish and contaminating the waters with sun cream and other pollutants.
And as always have a chilled day from the Viking
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