1 – Introduction to the Great Barrier Reef
3
Figure 1.2 Crossing the Blue Highway. Designed and written by science communicator Russell Kelley and published
by the ACRS, the Blue Highway poster portrays the reefs of the Great Barrier Reef as part of a larger supporting system
that includes the coastal catchments. The poster illustrates how natural nutrient loads from runoff and ocean upwelling fuel a connected mosaic of ecosystems and the role inter-reef habitats play in supporting migrating species as they
move from inshore nursery grounds to the outer reefs. The model species of fish is Lutjanus sebae (red emperor
snapper) that spawn near the shelf edge and recruit to estuaries as larvae. Juveniles move from recruitment habitat
to reefs and inter-reefal habitats, before they mature. Printed copies of this poster are available from the GBRMPA.
(Artwork: G. Ryan.)
forces within and around the reef, illustrating its inherent dynamic personality. This section also reviews
our current understanding of how local (declining
water quality and over exploitation of fisheries) and
global factors (ocean warming and acidification) have
changed the circumstances under which coral reefs
have otherwise prospered over the last millennia.
The third and last section of this book, which is perhaps the most important, deals with the diversity of
organisms that live in and around coral reefs (Fig. 1.3).
In this section, the reader is introduced to the basic
taxonomy of the major groups, as well as their biology
and ecology. This is a fascinating journey through the
unique and wonderful creatures of coral reefs. By
weaving the basic taxonomy of these groups together
with fascinating details of their lives, it is hoped that
the interest of the reader will be inspired to explore this
incredible diversity.
Throughout this book we come back to the major
challenges that reefs face in our changing world. For
this reason, our book is unique is in that it reviews the
past, current, and future trajectories and management of
3
Figure 1.2 Crossing the Blue Highway. Designed and written by science communicator Russell Kelley and published
by the ACRS, the Blue Highway poster portrays the reefs of the Great Barrier Reef as part of a larger supporting system
that includes the coastal catchments. The poster illustrates how natural nutrient loads from runoff and ocean upwelling fuel a connected mosaic of ecosystems and the role inter-reef habitats play in supporting migrating species as they
move from inshore nursery grounds to the outer reefs. The model species of fish is Lutjanus sebae (red emperor
snapper) that spawn near the shelf edge and recruit to estuaries as larvae. Juveniles move from recruitment habitat
to reefs and inter-reefal habitats, before they mature. Printed copies of this poster are available from the GBRMPA.
(Artwork: G. Ryan.)
forces within and around the reef, illustrating its inherent dynamic personality. This section also reviews
our current understanding of how local (declining
water quality and over exploitation of fisheries) and
global factors (ocean warming and acidification) have
changed the circumstances under which coral reefs
have otherwise prospered over the last millennia.
The third and last section of this book, which is perhaps the most important, deals with the diversity of
organisms that live in and around coral reefs (Fig. 1.3).
In this section, the reader is introduced to the basic
taxonomy of the major groups, as well as their biology
and ecology. This is a fascinating journey through the
unique and wonderful creatures of coral reefs. By
weaving the basic taxonomy of these groups together
with fascinating details of their lives, it is hoped that
the interest of the reader will be inspired to explore this
incredible diversity.
Throughout this book we come back to the major
challenges that reefs face in our changing world. For
this reason, our book is unique is in that it reviews the
past, current, and future trajectories and management of