Dating back at least 500 million years, coral reefs are the oldest and most primitive forms of life. Covering 2,000 km from Bundaberg to the tip of Cape York and an area of approximately 350,000 sq kms. the Great Barrier Reef is the largest reef system in the world. There are more than 2,000 islands and almost 3,000 separate reefs, of differing types, between the outer edges of the reef and the mainland.
Since coral cannot grow above the water line or below 30 metres the growth of coral reefs depends on the sea level. Old coral turns to limestone as sea level rises, top new coral builds and eventually forms a barrier reef. The Great Barrier Reef is moderately young and is home to thousands of separate reefs, most formed after sea level rose at the end of the last Ice Age. An outer reef system corresponds with Queenslands continental shelf where as reef systems nearer the mainland correspond with submerged hills.
Approximately 18,000 years ago during the last Ice Age waters were low exposing a range of forested hills. Coral grew in the shallow waters of the continental shelf. Then around 9,000 years ago, following the last Ice Age the water level rose to submerge the hills and coral began to grow in new places. Over the succeeding millennium, coral formed walls on the continental shelf while an array of fringing and platform reefs, coral cays and lagoons formed around the former hills.
Within the Great Barrier Reef, more then 2,000 species of fish and numerous species of both hard and soft coral can be found. Also found among the reef are sea slugs, twelve species of sea grasses and five hundred types of algae. The Great Barrier Reef is also home to Manta Rays, Potato Cod, Great White Sharks, Coral Groupers, Giant Clams, Moray Eels and Clown Fish.
The reef islands are home to coloured variety of tropical birds. These birds use to the island for breeding and raising their young, as it is free from mainland predators such as cats and foxes. Gulls, gannets, frigate birds, shearwaters and terns all make use of this safe environment.
Since coral cannot grow above the water line or below 30 metres the growth of coral reefs depends on the sea level. Old coral turns to limestone as sea level rises, top new coral builds and eventually forms a barrier reef. The Great Barrier Reef is moderately young and is home to thousands of separate reefs, most formed after sea level rose at the end of the last Ice Age. An outer reef system corresponds with Queenslands continental shelf where as reef systems nearer the mainland correspond with submerged hills.
Approximately 18,000 years ago during the last Ice Age waters were low exposing a range of forested hills. Coral grew in the shallow waters of the continental shelf. Then around 9,000 years ago, following the last Ice Age the water level rose to submerge the hills and coral began to grow in new places. Over the succeeding millennium, coral formed walls on the continental shelf while an array of fringing and platform reefs, coral cays and lagoons formed around the former hills.
Within the Great Barrier Reef, more then 2,000 species of fish and numerous species of both hard and soft coral can be found. Also found among the reef are sea slugs, twelve species of sea grasses and five hundred types of algae. The Great Barrier Reef is also home to Manta Rays, Potato Cod, Great White Sharks, Coral Groupers, Giant Clams, Moray Eels and Clown Fish.
The reef islands are home to coloured variety of tropical birds. These birds use to the island for breeding and raising their young, as it is free from mainland predators such as cats and foxes. Gulls, gannets, frigate birds, shearwaters and terns all make use of this safe environment.
About the Author:
If you are looking for Palm Cove accommodations or Port Douglas accommodations you should visit TropicalNorthQueensland.com.au. They have all you would need to know when scheduling your family vacation to Australia.
No comments:
Post a Comment