One of the Most Diverse Ecosystems on the Planet, the Great Barriar Coral Reef
If you want to know interesting things about marine animls, underwater worlds and the Great Barrier coral reef, the largest coral reef in the world you'll like this article.
Under the blue water of the northeastern coast of Australia, hides a beautiful underwater world, the Great Barrier Reef , the coral reef stretches over 2.300 kilometers along the coast and is even visible from space.
These corals are estimated being between 6,000 and 8,000 years old. The Great Barrer reef contains more than 2.900 individual small reefs and 900 islands that means, it provides numerous places to live for many fish and coral species, sharks and other marine mammals like turtles. The most incredible fishes can be found there, for example, the Clownfish or the parrotfish which lives 5-7 years and grows to 1-4 feet in length. The biggest fish in this giant reef is the Humphead Maori Wrasse, which can live up to 30 years and grow to just over 2m.
There are 4 types of sharks found in the Great Barriar reef: 1. Tiger sharks, they are known for inhabiting many places including coral reefs. 2. Reef sharks, inhabiting mainly coral reefs 3. Hammerd sharks, are two species occasionally spotted around the corals. 4. Whale sharks, known for being some of the biggest fish species on the planets while being technically a shark, they are spotted particularly in the area while their annual migration. Also a big variety of turtles calls the Great Barrier reef home for example the Green sea turtle, the Loggerhead sea turtle and the Leatherback sea turtle.
The Graet Barrier coral reef provides living space for over 1,500 species of fish, 600 species of coral, and 30 species of marine mammals. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is recognized for its exceptional biodiversity and ecological importance.
The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park was established in 1975 to protect the reef. Pollution, acidification and warming of water, lead to corals to die, likely most of the corals of the Great Barrier reef are still alive. We still have to protect coral reefs and ecosystems like this one.
Very interesting, thank you !