What are some fun facts about the Great Barrier Reef?

What are some fun facts about the Great Barrier Reef?

10 incredible facts about the Great Barrier Reef

• It’s the only place on earth where two UNESCO World Heritage Sites meet.
• It’s bigger than Tasmania and Victoria, combined.
• You’ll find a third of the world’s coral here.
• And it’s home to nearly 5,000 marine and mammal species.
• You can volunteer on the Great Barrier Reef.

How large is the Great Barrier Reef?

approximately 133,000 square miles

What is the Great Barrier Reef made of kids?

Reefs form as individual coral builds up on top of each other. Here is an interesting tidbit about the Great Barrier Reef for kids: even though they are hard as rocks, corals are actually alive! They are made up of tiny marine animals called coral polyps.

How many animals live in the Great Barrier Reef?

The Great Barrier Reef is home to more than 1,500 species of fish, 411 types of hard coral, one-third of the world’s soft corals, 134 species of sharks and rays, six of the world’s seven species of threatened marine turtles, and more than 30 species of marine mammals, including the vulnerable dugong.

Do Coral reefs help humans?

Coral reefs protect coastlines from storms and erosion, provide jobs for local communities, and offer opportunities for recreation. They are also are a source of food and new medicines. Over half a billion people depend on reefs for food, income, and protection.

Why is coral reefs important to humans?

Coral reefs provide an important ecosystem for life underwater, protect coastal areas by reducing the power of waves hitting the coast, and provide a crucial source of income for millions of people. More than 500 million people worldwide depend on reefs for food, jobs and coastal defence.

What will happen if we lose coral reefs?

The disappearance of coral reefs from our planet could lead to a domino effect of mass destruction. Many marine species will vanish after their only source of food disappears forever. Climate change and bleached coral will make coral-based tourism unappealing or non-existent, which will lead to job losses.