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The G reat Barrier R eef. By: Ben Litwiller. Intro. http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/places/parks-and-nature-places/oceans/oceans-barrier-reef/. L ocation. The great barrier reef is located out the northeast shores of Australia. Topography. largest extent of coral reefs on Earth
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The Great Barrier Reef By: Ben Litwiller
Intro. • http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/places/parks-and-nature-places/oceans/oceans-barrier-reef/
Location • The great barrier reef is located out the northeast shores of Australia.
Topography • largest extent of coral reefs on Earth • geographic range (24°30'N to10°41'S, 145°00' to 154°00'E) • extends for more than 2000 kilometres within the Coral Sea off the eastern coast of Australia.
Plants • Mangroves • make up the third type of plant growing near reefs • More than 50 species of mangroves exist in the world. • Florida's boasts about 469,000 acres • found along the state's southern coast.
Plants • Blue-green algae • are more appropriately known as cyanobacteria • originally thought to be a type of algae • bacteria form green tufts on the reef • which forms sometimes forms blooms in tropical waters.
Plants • Brown algae • contain an extra pigment • abundant in cooler climates • a few species can be very common in summer on inshore
Plants • Golden algae • are concerned about extensive blooms of seabed algae known as 'golden noodle algae • Scientists have identified the bloom-forming alga as Chrysocystisfragilis • has been found at Palau, Pohnpei and Hawaii.
Endangered Animals • Whales and dolphins • Dugong • Marine turtles • get tangled up in fishing lines
People • People can go snorkeling, diving, NO HURLIN ON helicopter rides and cruises THE SHELL DUDE
People • Great Barrier Reef contributes $6.4 billion a year from the tours • employs more than 60,000 people. • The interconnected reef system faces increasing pressure from climate change
Jobs for people • Aquariums • Visitor service officer • Marine Biologists • Fishermen • Tour Guides
Unique Features • the clownfish can actually help the sea anemones to breathe and can help them to aerate themselves • Sea anemones gives the clownfish a place to live in exchange • http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/coral-reefs • There are more symbiotic relationships similar to this found in the G.B.R.
Relationships • Commensalism • the pearlfish uses the sea cucumber for a hide-out from predators • lives in the sea cucumber’s anus • Mutualism • orange coral crab lives in and feeds off of the coral • coral benefits as the resident crab cleans it and protects it • Parasitism • Sea spider gains food and nutrients from coral • this relationship bleaches the coral
Coral • Attached to the ocean floor • Waste produces products for photosynthesis for the algae • Algae produces products need for the coral to grow • Is home for most animals in the reef
Environmental concerns • lost more than half its coral cover in the past 27 years. • Experts say storms, starfish and bleaching linked to climate change are to blame.
Environmental concerns • global warming • overuse from tourism • Fishing • farming • development on the coast and pollution both in the water and on the land.
Solving the problems • * 30-50% of reefs to be set aside as "no take" or no fishing zones for long term protection * larger fines for fishing offenses * greater use of technology to enforce no fishing zones.
Conclusion • Beautiful place • Cool animals • All around fun place to go on vaction.
Food web of the G.B.R. =P =P.C. =S.C. =T.C.
5 questions • What are the four endangered species I minced in the P.P.? • What can people do when visiting the reef? • What is the biggest problem with keeping the reef healthy? • What is the olds fish in the G.B.R.? • How many speices of sea snakes are there?
The websites • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Barrier_Reef • http://www.cairns-greatbarrierreef.org.au/media/6481/diving_experience-cairns_great_barrier_reef.jpg • http://www.deepreef.org/publications/peer-review/87-topography-gbr.html • http://www.reef.crc.org.au/discover/plantsanimals/facts_plantanimal.htm • http://wwf.panda.org/about_our_earth/about_freshwater/rivers/irbm/cases/great_barrier_reef_case_study/ • http://www.environment.gov.au/topics/environment-protection/strategic-assessments/great-barrier-reef • http://cdn.greatbarrierreef.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Great-Barrier-Reef-Food-Web-Diagram1.jpg • http://www.oceanwideimages.com/images/8302/large/mangrove-jack-24M1844-12.jpg • http://traveltips.usatoday.com/plants-live-coral-reefs-61384.html • http://disc.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/education-and-outreach/additional/science-focus/images/coral_reef_algae.jpg • http://www.reef.crc.org.au/discover/plantsanimals/algae/ • http://tolweb.org/tree/ToLimages/kelpy3.250a.jpg • http://www.conservenature.org/learn_about_wildlife/great_barrier_reef/commensalism.htm • http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/fbeinecke/Healthy.coral.reef.No.Title.jpg • http://awsassets.wwf.org.au/img/mo_corals_anthias_fish_fiji_808x236_4919.jpg