You know the importance of the Great Barrier Reef to Australia, but what about the Great Southern Reef?
A group of marine scientists from the University of Western Australia have recently undertaken a study about the reef, detailing the physical, biological and environmental attributes the area has.
Watch the video by The University of Western Australia to learn more
What is the Great Southern Reef?
Covering 71,000 square kilometres across Australia’s southern coastline, the reef is dissimilar to the Great Barrier Reef. It is not dominated by coral, rather by kelp forests which produce as much as 65 tonnes of biomass per hectare per year. That’s more than 16 times the yield from Australia’s most fertile wheat fields.
The Great Southern Reef is also home to an incredible variety of marine life. Leafy and weedy sea dragons, seals, sharks, cuttlefish, lobster and thousands of others that can be found in temperate water conditions.
Visit the CSIRO Marine & Freshwater Research site to learn more about the Great Southern Reef study.
