The image shows damage inflicted on Beaver Reef, part of the Great Barrier Reef, by the crown-of-thorns starfish, a species native to Australia which feeds on coral.
Great Barrier Reef under threat —
The image shows damage inflicted on Beaver Reef, part of the Great Barrier Reef, by the crown-of-thorns starfish, a species native to Australia which feeds on coral.
AIMS Long-term Monitoring Team
A report in October 2012 revealed that half of the coral coverage on the Great Barrier Reef had disappeared over the past 27 years due to a combination of factors: cyclones, the crown-of-thorns starfish and coral bleaching.
Great Barrier Reef under threat —
A report in October 2012 revealed that half of the coral coverage on the Great Barrier Reef had disappeared over the past 27 years due to a combination of factors: cyclones, the crown-of-thorns starfish and coral bleaching.
AIMS Long-term Monitoring Team
Coral bleaching -- seen here at Halfway Island -- occurs when the water becomes too warm. It's expected to increase in coming years due to global warming.
Great Barrier Reef under threat —
Coral bleaching -- seen here at Halfway Island -- occurs when the water becomes too warm. It's expected to increase in coming years due to global warming.
Ray Berkelmans, Australian Institute of Marine Science
Crown-of-thorns starfish thrive in nutrient-rich water which runs off agricultural land along the Queensland coast. A government program aims to eliminate all chemical and fertilizer run-off near the reef by 2020.
Great Barrier Reef under threat —
Crown-of-thorns starfish thrive in nutrient-rich water which runs off agricultural land along the Queensland coast. A government program aims to eliminate all chemical and fertilizer run-off near the reef by 2020.
AIMS Long-term Monitoring Team
The image shows MacDonald reef before damage inflicted by a cyclone. Strong winds whip waves which smash the coral in shallow areas, particularly towards the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef.
Great Barrier Reef under threat —
The image shows MacDonald reef before damage inflicted by a cyclone. Strong winds whip waves which smash the coral in shallow areas, particularly towards the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef.
Katharina Fabricius, Australian Institute of Marine Science
MacDonald reef after cyclone damage. "An area that has been exposed to the eye of the cyclone can look like a rubble zone shortly after it's passed over. It can be really quite devastating," said Jamie Oliver, a research director with AIMS.
Great Barrier Reef under threat —
MacDonald reef after cyclone damage. "An area that has been exposed to the eye of the cyclone can look like a rubble zone shortly after it's passed over. It can be really quite devastating," said Jamie Oliver, a research director with AIMS.
Katharina Fabricius, Australian Institute of Marine Science
The problem on the Great Barrier Reef, the report says, is that it's facing other threats that are hindering its ability to recover from cyclones, most notably the rampant starfish.
Great Barrier Reef under threat —
The problem on the Great Barrier Reef, the report says, is that it's facing other threats that are hindering its ability to recover from cyclones, most notably the rampant starfish.
Katharina Fabricius, Australian Institute of Marine Science
According to researchers at James Cook University, there have been three major outbreaks of COTS since the 1960s and it's believed the start of another one is under way.
Great Barrier Reef under threat —
According to researchers at James Cook University, there have been three major outbreaks of COTS since the 1960s and it's believed the start of another one is under way.
AIMS Long-term Monitoring Team
A flooded sugar cane field just outside of Innisfail, North Queensland after Tropical Cyclone Larry cross the coast on March 22, 2006. Cyclones not only smash reefs but increase run-off from agricultural areas.
Great Barrier Reef under threat —
A flooded sugar cane field just outside of Innisfail, North Queensland after Tropical Cyclone Larry cross the coast on March 22, 2006. Cyclones not only smash reefs but increase run-off from agricultural areas.
Getty Images
Sugar cane fields are seen submerged near Bundaberg in Queensland on December 30, 2010 after entire towns were inundated by the worst deluges in decades.
Great Barrier Reef under threat —
Sugar cane fields are seen submerged near Bundaberg in Queensland on December 30, 2010 after entire towns were inundated by the worst deluges in decades.
AFP/Getty Images