Social, Environmental Economical effects of Global Warming on the reef.
Social Effectsu
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Environmental EffectsOcean acidification
In the long-term, ocean acidification is likely to be the most significant impact of a changing climate on the Great Barrier Reef ecosystem. Ocean acidification reduces corals ability to build and replenish their skeletons. This will result in weaker coral structures, thus reducing their ability to withstand physical disturbances from storms. If ocean acidification is left unchecked, it could destroy all our coral reefs by as early as 2050. It also has the potential to disrupt other ocean ecosystems, fisheries, habitats, and even entire oceanic food chains. Ocean acidification also can impact fish reproductive processes. This is because fish eggs are more sensitive to pH changes than fish adults, the population numbers may dwindle if this impact is significant. Sea temperature Rising sea surface temperatures will affect every aspect of the Great Barrier Reef. Gradual overall increases in the temperatures of the surface water are expected as a result of climate change. Temperature is the number one key environmental factor that controls the distribution and diversity of marine life. It is critical to reef building and controls the rate of coral reef growth. when temperatures increase, particularly during summer months, corals will exceed their thresholds and move to a state of thermal stress.Thermal stress is most visible when corals bleach. increased sea temperatures can also affect the growth and reproduction of corals. |
Economical EffectsGlobal Warming not only affects the environment of The Great Barrier Reef, but also affects the Australian economy. “The Great Barrier Reef generates over 6.5 billion dollars in tourism revenue and 63,000 jobs. “ (Ocean Ark Alliance, 2012, www.oceanacidification.net) One of the main things contributing to the local and Australian economy generating over $4.228 billion per annum is Australian tourism. Tourism is the commercial activity in the Great Barrier Reef region, playing an important role in presenting the World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef Marine Park to a wide range of visitors. For many visitors to coastal Queensland, the tourism fleet is their primary means of experiencing the Great Barrier Reef. There are approximately 820 operators and 1500 vessels operating in the Marine Park.There are a diverse range of tourism operations in the Great Barrier Reef including day tours, overnight and extended tours, snorkeling scuba diving and fishing charters, long range roving tours, aircraft or helicopter tours, bare boats (self-sail), glass-bottomed boat viewing, semi-submersibles and educational trips, cruise ships, beach hire and water sports, passenger ferries, whale watching and swimming with dolphins.
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