Nature and our ecosystems are amazing, we can all agree on that, right? However, have you heard about an ecosystem service before? It is explained as the benefits that humans can obtain from the natural environment just by existing.

Therefore, the Great Barrier Reef is a perfect example of an ecosystem that provides us with overflowing benefits with all the ecosystem services it provides us. Firstly, let’s break it down and explain what ecosystem services actually are.

 

 

Ecosystem services can be divided in three categories:

The social. First of all, we can literally spend weeks, months, or even years, exploring the over 900 islands. Our favourites are activities like SCUBA diving, sailing, island-hopping, snorkelling, the list can go long. I think we can all agree to the fact that the reef contributes to human well-being. Many of us find places along the reef where we feel a sense of home, where we can reconnect with ourselves and nature.

 

The economic. The Great Barrier Reef is valued at $56 billion!!! Crazy numbers!  These numbers are summarised by tourism, recreation, commercial fishing and scientific research. Over 90% are related to tourism and recreational activities. Many people’s livelihood along the Queensland coast is dependent on the reef. Want to read more? Click here: https://www.barrierreef.org/the-reef/the-value

 

The environmental. As the largest living organism in the world, the reef is such an important ecosystem for the health of the ocean and the planet. The reef provides habitat for organisms and marine species we rely on for food and medicine production. The reef assists in fixing greenhouse gases like carbon and nitrogen. And the reef provides an entire system with its marine inhabitants to help with nutrient recycling. How amazing?

 

 

 

Have you ever thought about how the Great Barrier Reef provides us protection?

You may not think about it when you’re standing on shore looking out to the coral sea and you can’t see the reef with your own eyes. But on a larger scale, the reef actually has a quite important role in terms of coastal protection.

The structure of the Great Barrier Reef acts as a buffer between the open ocean and the coastline.  What that means in terms of protection of the coastline is that the reef is the first to take on larger storms, cyclones and waves. As a result of the buffer, the energy flow is dissipating before it reaches the shore. That is a game changer for preventing loss of lives, property damage and coastal erosion.

Coastal areas are for all of these amazing benefits highly inhabited. We love to live near the ocean for the lifestyle it has to offer. In Australia, this is evident with more than 85% of the population living within 50 kilometres of the coast.

 

But without the reef, would the coastline be the same?

Coral reefs evidently provide important ecosystem services.

In conclusion, if the functioning of the reef is decreasing, so are all the benefits we draw from it. Coral reefs provides important ecosystem services after all. Are we dependent on the social, economic, and environmental benefits the GBR provides us?

Looking after our beautiful reef is now more important than ever!

The reef needs us, and we also need the reef!