The Great Barrier Reef Ecosystem

19 Questions | By Mcgovernl | Updated: Mar 21, 2022 | Attempts: 80

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The Great Barrier Reef is a fragile ecosystem under threat from human activities.

Questions and Answers

1.

What are the main components of a natural ecosystem?
- A.
  
  Sun, animals, plants, water and earth
- B.
  
  Producers, detritus, carnivors, omnivors and energy from the sun
- C.
  
  Sun, producers, consumers and decomposers
2.

What is this creature?
- A.
  
  A coral polyp
- B.
  
  A sponge
- C.
  
  A coral scavanger
- D.
  
  A coral predator
3.

The main natural threat to the sustainability of BRG ecosystem are:
- A.
  
  Siltation from flood runoff
- B.
  
  Disease of the coral polyp
- C.
  
  Increased water temperature resulting from climate change
- D.
  
  Shifts in ocean currents and the nutrients they carry
4.

What is the extent of the GBR?
- A.
  
  It stretches the full length of Queensland
- B.
  
  It extends from the Torres Strait to just south of the Tropic of Capricorn
- C.
  
  It covers an area equal to Tasmania
- D.
  
  It is the largest fringe reef in the world and is more than 500km in length.
5.

The Great Barrier Reef was listed as a word Heritage site in:
- A.
  
  1981
- B.
  
  2001
- C.
  
  1990
- D.
  
  2004
6.

Between 1996 and 2004, the area designated 'general use' was reduced by more than half, while areas set aside for protection and scientific research increased by more than 200%.
- A.
  
  True
- B.
  
  False
7.

Corals are very sensitive to _______________________, evidenced by the dying of coral, known as _____________________.
8.

Riverine runoff, especially after extensive flooding, as happened in Queensland over January, can impact the reef ecosystem. These impacts include (List 3)
9.

What impact would the overfishing of herbivorous fish have on the ecosystem?
- A.
  
  Increase growth of algae and seagrasses which can snuff our the coral
- B.
  
  Smaller fish will thrive in great numbers
- C.
  
  Higher order carnivors will increase in number
10.

A coral polyp lives in a _____________ relationship with a ________ zooxanthellae that gives the coral its color. Zooxanthellae take in carbon dioxide, process it through ________________, and give off oxygen and other important nutrients that are then used by the host polyp.
11.

Coral reefs are one of the most biologically ____________ ecosystems on earth, rivaled only by tropical _________________. They are made up not only of ______ and ______corals, but also s - - - - - , crust- - - - - - , mollusks, fish, sea turtles, sharks, dolphins and much more. C_________________for resources such as food, space and sunlight are some of the primary factors in determining the abundances and diversity of organisms on a reef. Each component of a coral reef is d__________________ upon and interconnected with countless other plants, animals and organisms. This means that fluctuations in the abundance of one species can drastically _________ both the diversity and abundances of others.
12.

Reefs play an important role in ....
- A.
  
  Stopping the runoff from land into the ocean
- B.
  
  Ensuring that the coastal ecosystems are able to function properly
- C.
  
  Protecting the shoreline form storms and storm surges
13.

Local fisheries, such as lobster, stone crab, snapper and grouper, all directly rely on the reef for spawning and habitat
- A.
  
  True
- B.
  
  False
14.

Large fish such as tuna and dolphin rely on the the small fish whose habitat is the reef.
- A.
  
  True
- B.
  
  False
15.

Most corals and sponges are __________ feeders, which means that they consume particulate matter suspended in the water column
- A.
  
  Bottom
- B.
  
  Filter
- C.
  
  Scavanger
16.

What is the major impact that unmonitored tourism can have on the reef
- A.
  
  Water pollution - litter, diesel
- B.
  
  Trampelling and direct damage to the coral
- C.
  
  Destruction of sensitive areas though overfishing
- D.
  
  All of the above
17.

Why are mangroves important to the health of the reef system?
- A.
  
  They filter nutrients and pollutants that would otherwise flow into the reef system
- B.
  
  They act as storm buffers for the reef, reducing the impact of storm surges
- C.
  
  They attract the mosquitoes and other pests that would compete with other species.
18.

Seagrasses do not compliment reef systems as they can overrun the corals and cause an imbalance in tthe ecosystem?
- A.
  
  True
- B.
  
  False
19.

Why was the Great Barrier Mrine Park Authority established?
- A.
  
  To provide information to governments about the stability and health of the reef
- B.
  
  To develop plans and practices to manage the reef ecosystems
- C.
  
  To create zones as a way of monitoring and restricting access to the reef