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Grandeur and The Great Barrier Reef

© Robin Greenhalgh

Our world has been blessed with the existence of an ecosystem comparable to no other, the Great Barrier Reef. It is the largest community of it's type in the world. The reef is made up of sections of coral which sprawl along the northern coast of Australia. Amazingly this reef has been developing for hundreds of thousands of years.

It's lengthy existence has given society the mistaken impression of it's immortality. The interesting tidbit about reefs is that they really are dying, all the time! They are made up of polyp skeletons who have already met their demise. Even though it sounds quite ghastly, it is actually a remarkable system. Essentially the skeletons harden and then support a vast array of living corals (polyps), which attach themselves to it. "The top layer of the communal animal ages and is eventually overgrown and killed by new polyps, therefore builds upon themselves inch by inch."

The world book online defines a reef as, "A limestone formation that lies under or just above the surface of the sea." The majority of people would jump to the conclusion that this niche supports a limited specie variety. Although it actually houses hundreds of species including corals, fish, birds, crustaceans and even a turtle or two.

Sadly it is one of the most delicate and fragile ecosystems in the world. A multitude of issues threaten the reef on a daily basis, especially contamination and tourism. Drilling is also a serious risk, which would spell out impending doom if prospectors were not so well deterred. A recent read of "Reefscape" written by Rosaleen Love, helped to bring forth both the beauty and the trouble surrounding the reef. "I go to the reef imagining I am having an unparalleled experience of nature. If what I find when I submerge are stark white skeletons of dead corals, I start seeing reefscape anew, this time in relation to modern industrial processes."

Coral is protected and is illegal to collect. Like all other items forbidden, there are still many who collect coral even though it could eventually mean the end of it's existence. Ignorance of the law is usually the defense used by the captured collector, completely at the expense of the reef. Even large profitable industries have failed to heed the law. The reality television program "Survivors" incriminated itself when one of it's contestants removed coral from it's protected haven. Ignorance could not possibly be a feasible defence when they employ many high-priced lawyers, who should have advised them of such restrictions. Removal of the coral is not the only way to damage a reef. Snorkeling, scuba-diving and boating in these areas brings along increased risk to the reef. Physical contact, even slightly brings an end to the surrounding polyps. Too many people are not able to appreciate nature for just how it looks, and are either trying to obtain or touch it.