1. Introduction to the Great
Barrier Reef
P. A. Hutchings, M. J. Kingsford & O. Hoegh-Guldberg
The Great Barrier Reef is one of the world’s most spectacular natural features and one of the few biological
structures visible from space (Fig. 1.1). The sheer size of
the GBR Marine Park (over 360 000 km
2
) as well its
beauty and biodiversity draw people from all over the
world. The reef stretches over 2200 km from subtropical waters (~27°S) to the tropical waters of Torres Strait
(8°S) and as far as 400 km from the coast to the outer
shelf slope. For Australians, the reef is a source of much
pride and enjoyment. The GBR is one of the most prominent icons of Australia, with the majority of visitors
coming specifically to Australia to see it. This draw
underpins substantial industries such as tourism and
commercial and recreational fisheries. What is perhaps
a surprise is how much more we still need to know
about coral reefs like the GBR. We are still struggling to
describe the myriad of species and processes that define the GBR—all with an urgency now that is heightened by the unprecedented local and global pressures
that currently face the reef.
The underlying concept behind this book is to describe the patterns, processes, human interactions and
organisms that underpin large reef ecosystems like
the GBR. Although much of the content of this book is
focused on the GBR, we consider it highly relevant to
1
coral reefs in other parts of Australia and the rest of
the world. There has been no other comprehensive introduction to the biology, environment, and management of the GBR, especially with regard to the major
processes that underpin it or how issues such as deteriorating coastal water quality and climate change affect it. Extending our knowledge and understanding
of these processes is vital if we are to sustainably manage the Reef, especially during the coming century of
climate change. Only by understanding and managing it wisely do we have a chance of keeping the GBR
‘great’.
This book is aimed at undergraduate and postgraduate students and the informed public, as well
as researchers and managers who would like to
familiarise themselves with the complexity of coral
reefs like the GBR. The project arose out of an advanced undergraduate course that has been held on
the GBR over the past decade and extensive discussions on the need for a book like this at the ACRS.
Through this society and the course, we were able invite the appropriate international experts to contribute
to this book. The ACRS (which started out as the Great
Barrier Reef Committee) is the oldest coral reef society
in the world and most of the authors are members and
Barrier Reef
P. A. Hutchings, M. J. Kingsford & O. Hoegh-Guldberg
The Great Barrier Reef is one of the world’s most spectacular natural features and one of the few biological
structures visible from space (Fig. 1.1). The sheer size of
the GBR Marine Park (over 360 000 km
2
) as well its
beauty and biodiversity draw people from all over the
world. The reef stretches over 2200 km from subtropical waters (~27°S) to the tropical waters of Torres Strait
(8°S) and as far as 400 km from the coast to the outer
shelf slope. For Australians, the reef is a source of much
pride and enjoyment. The GBR is one of the most prominent icons of Australia, with the majority of visitors
coming specifically to Australia to see it. This draw
underpins substantial industries such as tourism and
commercial and recreational fisheries. What is perhaps
a surprise is how much more we still need to know
about coral reefs like the GBR. We are still struggling to
describe the myriad of species and processes that define the GBR—all with an urgency now that is heightened by the unprecedented local and global pressures
that currently face the reef.
The underlying concept behind this book is to describe the patterns, processes, human interactions and
organisms that underpin large reef ecosystems like
the GBR. Although much of the content of this book is
focused on the GBR, we consider it highly relevant to
1
coral reefs in other parts of Australia and the rest of
the world. There has been no other comprehensive introduction to the biology, environment, and management of the GBR, especially with regard to the major
processes that underpin it or how issues such as deteriorating coastal water quality and climate change affect it. Extending our knowledge and understanding
of these processes is vital if we are to sustainably manage the Reef, especially during the coming century of
climate change. Only by understanding and managing it wisely do we have a chance of keeping the GBR
‘great’.
This book is aimed at undergraduate and postgraduate students and the informed public, as well
as researchers and managers who would like to
familiarise themselves with the complexity of coral
reefs like the GBR. The project arose out of an advanced undergraduate course that has been held on
the GBR over the past decade and extensive discussions on the need for a book like this at the ACRS.
Through this society and the course, we were able invite the appropriate international experts to contribute
to this book. The ACRS (which started out as the Great
Barrier Reef Committee) is the oldest coral reef society
in the world and most of the authors are members and