Great Barrier Reef Quiz: Test Your Knowledge of the World's Largest Reef

Study Notes

The Great Barrier Reef, located in the Coral Sea off the coast of Queensland, Australia, is the world's largest coral reef system, spanning over 2,300 km and consisting of over 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands. The reef was selected as a World Heritage Site in 1981 and was labelled one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World in 1997. It is home to a wide diversity of life, including 1,500 fish species, 6 species of sea turtles, 215 species of birds, and 400 species of coral. The reef is a popular tourist destination and generates over AUD$3 billion per year. The reef is threatened by climate change, pollution, crown-of-thorns starfish, and fishing. The reef has lost over half of its coral cover since 1985, with a 2020 study finding that over half of the reef's coral cover was lost between 1995 and 2017. The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park helps to limit human impact on the reef. The reef's history is complex, with coral growth and decline influenced by sea level changes and sedimentation regimes.Threats to the Great Barrier Reef and Conservation Efforts

The Great Barrier Reef has lost over half of its corals since 1995 due to climate change.
Coral bleaching events lead to increased disease susceptibility and detrimental ecological effects for reef communities.
Pollution and declining water quality from farm runoff is a key threat to the reef, with over 90% of pollution coming from this source.
Sediment runoff from farming carries chemicals into the reef environment, reducing the amount of light available to the corals.
Pesticides used in farming release heavy metals and toxins into the wider environment, which has a detrimental effect on coral.
Shipping accidents are a pressing concern, as several commercial shipping routes pass through the Great Barrier Reef.
The Queensland government has a "shark control" program (shark culling) that harms the marine ecosystem and is ineffective.
The Reef 2050 plan was formed in 2015 to protect and preserve the reef's universal heritage until 2050.
The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority manages the park to ensure it is used in a sustainable manner.
The Australian Parliament passed the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act in 1999 to improve the operation of national environmental law.
The Marine Bioregional Planning process conserves marine biodiversity by considering the whole ecosystem a species is in and how different species interact in the marine environment.
The Reef 2050 Water Quality Improvement Plan was announced in 2018 to help transition local communities, agricultural organizations, and industries to more sustainable practices.The Great Barrier Reef: An Overview
The Great Barrier Reef is a large coral formation located off the coast of Queensland, Australia, stretching over 2,300 km.
It is the world's largest coral reef system, home to thousands of species of marine life, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Reef faces many threats including climate change, overfishing, pollution, and coastal development.
The Reef Plan 5, created in 2013, is the current management plan for the Great Barrier Reef, focusing on improving water quality, reducing nutrient and sediment loads, and improving land management practices.
The zoning plan for the Marine Park was updated in 2004, increasing the highly protected zones from 4.5% to over 33.3%.
Tourism is a major economic activity for the region, generating over A$5.1 billion annually and employing more than 64,000 people.
Management of tourism focuses on making it ecologically sustainable, with daily fees levied towards research of the Great Barrier Reef.
Fishing is another major industry in the Great Barrier Reef, worth A$1 billion annually and employing approximately 2000 people.
Dugong hunting is allowed under the Native Title Act 1993, but some traditional owners groups have ceased hunting due to declining numbers.
The Abbot Point coal port dredge dumping controversy is a major issue facing the Great Barrier Reef, with concerns about the potential harm caused by dredge spoil and the process of churning up the sea floor.
The Australian Federal Government announced a ban on the dumping of dredge spoil in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park in 2014.
The Great Barrier Reef faces many challenges, but efforts are being made to protect and preserve this unique ecosystem for future generations.

Description

Test your knowledge on one of the world's most iconic natural wonders with our Great Barrier Reef quiz! Learn about the reef's history, diverse marine life, and the threats it faces from climate change, pollution, and human activities. Discover the conservation efforts being made to protect and preserve this UNESCO World Heritage Site for future generations. This quiz is perfect for anyone interested in marine biology, conservation, or Australian culture and tourism.