The Great Barrier Reef is internationally recognised for its outstanding beauty and biological diversity, which is reflected in its status as a World Heritage Area. However, the Reef and its inhabitants are under threat from a number of human impacts. Learn how each of these threats affect the Reef and the animals and plants that call it home.  Find out what Reef Managers are doing to reduce impacts and keep the Reef healthy and resilient.  Discover how you can help protect the Reef, no matter where you live.

Booking Options:  There are two options for the Reef HQ suite of programs:

• Fixed STEMLinc dates/times for booking this event will appear each term in the table below.
• Schools with a minimum of 3 classes wishing to book alternate dates should contact Reef HQ directly (education@gbrmpa.gov.au) to negotiate a suitable date and time.  Ecolinc will cover the costs for a limited number of alternate date bookings each term.

Climate change is the single biggest threat to the Great Barrier Reef, as it is to many ecosystems around the world.  The cumulative impact of climate change, land run-off and other threats is testing the ability of the Reef to recover from major disturbances.

Year Level:  Year 7 –  VCE Environmental Science (Session adapted to suit the age group) 

Duration: 60 minutes

No, but there is a variety of teacher resources available:

Reef Beat 2016 – Climate change video

Reef Beat 2016 – Coastal development video

Reef Beat 2016 – Impact of fishing video

Reef Beat 2016 – Land-based run-off video

Reef Beat 2016 – Marine debris video

Please see Reefs-at-Risk for more program details and links to additional reference materials.

No prior knowledge is required.

In this program students will:

• Appreciate the biological and ecosystem diversity and the multiple uses of the Marine Park
• Learn about the top four threats to the Reef
• Understand what is being done to help increase Reef health and resilience

In this video conference students will:

• Consider what actions we can all do to help the Reef
• Interact with presenters and be able ask individual questions
• Have access to supporting materials for pre- and/or post-event study

Science: Science Understanding

• Matter and energy flow through ecosystems and can be represented using models, including food webs and food pyramids; populations will be affected by changing biotic and abiotic factors in an ecosystem including habitat loss, climate change, seasonal migration and introduction or removal of species (VC2S8U04)