Great Barrier Reef Facts

Another interesting highlight from the Great Barrier Reef facts is that it is home to some of the largest diversity of species, including around 32 species of dolphins, whales, and porpoises. The reef is also home to about 6 species of turtle, around 18 species of sea snake. It also houses about 10% of the world’s fish species, making it a total of 1500 species. Some of the most common species found here are the wrasses, damselfish, triggerfish, and angelfish. Other larger species include the tiger sharks, white sharks, and the whales. The Reef barrier is also filled with green alga, called Halimeda; with distinct mangroves in the northern cays.

One of the most amazing Great Barrier Reef facts is that it is the world's largest reef system. With an expansive stretch of 2600 km, home to over 3000 individual reefs, and 900 islands, the Great Barrier Reef goes up to 1250 miles (up to 2000 km) to the northwest-southeast direction. The distance offshore ranges from 10 to 100 miles (16 to 160 km), and the width starts from 37 miles and goes up to 155 miles.

While it is popularly known that the coral reefs survive in warm, shallow waters, one of the most interesting Great Barrier reef facts is that the actual dive site might easily take up to 45 minutes to 2 hours to reach. The definition of a barrier reef goes by a coral reef which runs parallel to the shore, but is divided by a massive lagoon.

It is advised and recommended to carry some motion or travel sickness pills to battle a windy day out in the Great Barrier Reef. Owing to its massive area of occupancy, the coral reef exploration is an experience in itself.

It is a commonly known Great Barrier reef facts that due to the rapid climate change, the coral reefs are being affected drastically. Various reasons can be attributed to the same; including the diving equipment being a part of the garbage spilled, increasing temperatures of the sea, and bleaching caused due to pollution.

Another major threat to the Great Barrier reef is the coastal development along the shores of Queensland, right beside the Reef region. Moreover, due to the deposit of excessive chemicals, the natural nutrients for fishes and other marine species have been contaminated, leading to decrease in the number of marine ecosystems.

One of the major causes of coral bleaching remains climate change, and other causes which add to it are, pollution, low tides, or intense sunlight. According to a report by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association, more than 75% of the globe’s tropical coral reefs were exposed to heat, which was severe enough to trigger bleaching, which led to a threat of starvation and disease. However, Corals can also recover, given that the conditions are returned to normal, and there is no extra strain on the Corals.

Since the Great Barrier reef facts concerning its environmental damage have been out in public, both the conservationists, and the Australian Government are working tirelessly to restore this natural wonder. WIth advanced laboratory techniques assisting in growth of reefs away from the coral, and planting the same when ready, to work being put in to reduce the sediment run off, the efforts from across the globe are commendable.

Moreover, owing to its immense popularity, the Great Barrier Reef generates about $5-6 billion dollars with an average influx of 2 million tourists every year. A significant portion of this amount is used in conservation, preservation and restoration of the Great Barrier reef.

With reef structures dating up to 20 million years ago, it is estimated that the Reef is millions of years old. These structures are usually found in clear, shallow, and warm water, so that there is enough sunlight for the nurturing of the reef, on which corals can feed on the same.

The reefs are divided into four categories; namely, the fringing reefs, barrier reefs, patch reefs, and atolls. The Fringe reefs started to grow along the coastlines, while the barrier reefs were found in deeper lagoons. This is one of the most interesting facts about the Great Barrier Reef.

Since the Great Barrier Reef is millions of years old, it is commonly known that the prehistoric creatures still live here. The most distinctively known species is the nautilus, similar to squid, which is known to have remained unchanged since the past 500 million years.

Other famous species of prehistoric origins include the ancient sharks, the giant oil fish, the crustaceans swarms, and the shrimps. From the facts about the Great Barrier reef, this is one of the most curious one, which has led to several exploration and research into the Coral reefs.

Another strangely interesting facts about the Great Barrier Reef is that the corals reproduce only once a year, when the atmosphere, ambience, and the conditions remain favorable. The sight is similar to viewing a snowstorm, with the process being the genetic matter released by polyp into the water. The deposits left due to the process can even be seen from space, and following the event, the new reef begins to form.