Can the Reef Survive? One of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World Is under Pressure from Development, Predators and Climatic Changes, While Australia Is under Pressure to Do Something about It

Byline: DANIEL BURDON

IT IS the largest coral reef system on the planet and one of Australiaas favourite holiday destinations.

It is the worldas largest single structure of living organisms and can be seen from space.

It generates millions of tourism dollars every year and supports thousands of Aussie jobs.

If you have ever been to the Great Barrier Reef, or dreamed of going there, you may already know that it is regarded as one of the seven natural wonders of the world.

But this World Heritage site is under serious threat.

Over the past 27 years, the combination of natural storms and cyclones, the crown of thorns starfish and coral bleaching have led to the loss of half of the reefas coral cover.

The 2009 report on the outlook for the reef also cited climate change, declining water quality from catchment run-off, loss of coastal habitats from coastal development and the impacts …