The Great Barrier Reef: Human Injury and

Repair

Sierra Marling

About The Reef

Geography Diversity UNESCO

Ecotourism• Defined: Tourism directed

toward exotic, often threatened, natural environments, especially to support conservation efforts and observe wildlife.• Tourism revenue for Australia:

more than AU$ 2 billion• Estimated worth of between

US$18-40 billion• Activities include: sting ray

encounters, snorkeling, nighttime scuba diving, speed boating and skydiving

Harmful Fishing

Overfishing:Decreases fish

populations below normal

levels

Sodium Cyanide:

CheapEasy to make

Explosive Fishing:

Mass coral destruction

Economically efficient

Pollution

Mining Nets Cans Microplastics

Crown-of-Thorns Starfish

Outbreak

Algae Bloom

Increased Pollution

Warming Water

Crown-of-Thorns Starfish

Mass & Quick Coral Death

Increased Population

Coral Predator

Corals• Colonial organisms:

made up of many individual polyps (image A)• Capture their food, corals

use stinging cells called nematocysts (image B)• Prey ranges in size from

zooplankton to small fish• Capable of collecting fine

organic particles

A

B

Coral & Zooxanthellae• Mutualistic relationship with corals• Necessity for clear water• Causes plant-like response in

corals• Produce products of

photosynthesis: glucose, glycerol, amino acids• Nutrient recycling in nutrient-poor

tropical waters create foundation for effective reefs• Source of color

A

Efforts (Examples)

UNESCO• Encourages

awareness and preservation

WWF• Advocates for the

removal of harmful mining as well as preservation

Greenpeace• Advocates and

lobbies for the removal of harmful mining and preservation

Great Barrier Beer• Donates proceeds

to The Great Barrier Reef’s awareness and preservation, as well as encourages awareness

The Importance of Education

Early childhood education:Establishes positive habitsAdds inclusive thinkingGives children scopeAids children in understanding the world around them and how they fit into itGives children opportunity to think of solutions to larger-scale problems

How Do We Do It?For my GSTR 410 project, I chose to do an interactive coloring book. This coloring book is meant to be a discussion tool to ignite the curiosity of the child and to provoke discussion between parents and their children about their effect on oceans and what they can do to ensure that they are not negatively impacting their surroundings. Through Scotty Starfish and his friends, children will explore The Great Barrier Reef and parents will reinforce and enhance their own understanding and gain valuable experience in teaching their children about important platform issues.