Ecosystems at risk: Great Barrier reef case study

Question 1

spatial patterns/dimensions:

Answer 1

• complex, vast ecosystem of coast of North QLD
• 2300km from PNG’s Fly River in North (8ºS) and Fraser Island to the South (24ºS)
• GBR covers 348 000km
• at sea level 0
• 2900 little reefs

Question 2

3 requirements:

Answer 2

water temp:
18-29º range, 32º and above = bleaching if sustained

sunlight:
corals live in clear ocean water, no less than 50m deep

salinity:
corals thrive in stable saline conditions, too much –> coral growth stunted, too little –> Zoo X die