A Reef Like no Other: The Great Southern Reef

Abstract

Under the water, along the southern coastline of Australia, lies the Great Southern Reef—a reef that many people have never heard about. The water is colder than that of tropical reefs and instead of being built by corals, it is mainly formed by a specific type of brown seaweed known as kelp. Just like trees on land, kelp grow and cover large areas, forming underwater forests that are home for many kinds of fish, molluscs, crustaceans, and seaweed species. However, the Great Southern Reef is facing serious threats, mainly because of rising ocean temperatures. When the seawater becomes too warm, kelp can disappear, endangering the marine creatures that live in the reef ecosystem. It is difficult to protect something if people do not know it exists! This is why we need to raise awareness of how valuable this reef is. Can you help us spread the word?