Background

The Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest coral reef system, consisting of 3000 coral reefs and 600 types of soft and hard corals, stretching over an area of 344,400 square kilometres. The reef began its first growth about 18 million years ago but was only in 1768 by an European explorer named James Cook. 

 

As far as the size of the reef is concerned, it is larger than the UK, Switzerland and Holland combined and is the world's largest living structure on Earth and can be seen from outer space. Located in the coral sea off the coast of Queensland, Australia, the popularity of this world heritage site and natural world wonder attracts over 2 million tourists each year, generating $5-6 million per year for Australia. 

 

The reef supports a diversity of life, including many vulnerable and endangered species. For a rough idea of exactly how many species inhabit the reef, around 10% of the world's total fish species can be found just within the reef. It also contains 7 species of turtles, 30 different species of whales, dolphins, porposies and dugongs. The reef includes more than 2,000 square kilometres of mangroves that supporting more than 215 bird species including 22 species of sea birds and 32 species of shore birds. In comparison to other ecosystems such as tropical rainforests, the Great Barrier Reef offers more variety of plants and animals per cubic metre. 

 

According to reports, the Great Barrier Reef has said to be lost more than half of its coral cover in the last 3 decades and experienced the decline of many other species as well.