Figure
6a The reef flat exposed at low tide. Scenes like this led Australian
Institute of Marine Science scientists to discover and synthesise natural
sunscreens which protect the corals.
Figure
6b A giant potato cod and coral. A special reserve within the Marine
Park protects this fish species.
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Conservation measures in the Great Barrier Reef include the prohibition of
fishing and collecting in a number of protected areas, which currently cover
about 4% of the whole Great Barrier Reef and 16% of the reefs.
The strong cross-shelf pattern
in flora and fauna is being used for guiding the identification of bioregions,
as a basis for refining the selection of representative areas for future
protection.
Associated research efforts include the long-term monitoring of
winds, tides, currents and coral condition, and use of the 'source-sink' concept
in evaluating options for protected area networks.
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Figure
6c
Approximately 40 x IO cm section from a core of the massive
Porites
coral. Fluorescent bands are laid down in those years when floodwaters reach the
coral reefs.
(See also Figure
1g)
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Figure 1g The scale of an individual coral colony, showing
annual growth bands which can be used to age the coral and which contain a
record of the environment in which it grew. For living ancient corals, this
record extends backwards several hundred years before the present.
Photos:
Figures 6a, 1g
Terry Done.
Figures 6b, 6c AIMS Photo-library.
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