Why does the Great Barrier Reef matter?
Quick answer from Eartha
The Great Barrier Reef is home to thousands of amazing sea creatures, like fish, turtles and sharks. It stretches over 2,300 kilometres along Australia's coast, making it the biggest reef system on Earth. It gives animals a safe place to live and find food, and people travel from all over the world just to see it.
The longer story
The Great Barrier Reef sits off the coast of Queensland and stretches over 2,300 kilometres, making it the largest coral reef system in the world. It's actually made up of thousands of smaller reefs and hundreds of islands, not just one giant reef.
This huge reef is home to an incredible number of animals, including more than 1,500 species of fish, six types of sea turtles, and many kinds of sharks, rays and colourful shellfish. For all these creatures, the reef provides food, shelter and safe places to raise their young.
The reef is also important for people. It supports fishing and tourism jobs for many Australian families, and it protects coastlines from strong waves during storms.
Because coral is sensitive to changes in water temperature, scientists keep a close watch on the reef's health. Looking after it means everyone, from families to governments, thinking carefully about how we treat our oceans.
Try this at home: Draw a reef neighbourhood
- Draw a big coral shape in the middle of your page.
- Add fish, turtles and other sea creatures living around it.
- Tell a grown-up why each animal needs the reef.
Words to know
- Species
- A particular kind or type of living thing, like a type of fish.
- Ecosystem
- A community of living things and their surroundings, all connected together.
For grown-ups: what is my child learning here?
Age band: 8-11
Curriculum link: Australian Curriculum v9 Science, AC9S5U01 - ecosystems and interdependence
The concept: Highlights biodiversity and human connection to a globally significant natural site.
More classroom ideas are on our teachers page, and safety notes for families are on for parents.
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