Guardians of the Reef: Biodiversity and Change in the Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef, located off the coast of Queensland, Australia, is the largest coral reef system on Earth. It is so massive that it can even be seen from space! This underwater world is not just a collection of colorful rocks; it is a bustling, living metropolis. As one of the most biodiverse places on the planet, the reef is home to thousands of unique species of marine life. However, this beautiful ecosystem is facing serious challenges due to global climate change.
A Bustling Underwater Community
Biodiversity refers to the variety of different living things in an area. The Great Barrier Reef boasts an incredible amount of biodiversity. At the heart of the reef are coral polyps, tiny animals that build hard outer skeletons. Over thousands of years, these skeletons build up to form the massive structures we see today.
- Biodiversity:
- The variety of different living things in a particular area.
- Coral polyps:
- Tiny marine animals that build hard outer skeletons which form reefs.
- Coral bleaching:
- The process where stressed corals turn white after expelling their colorful algae.
- Greenhouse gases:
- Gases in the atmosphere that trap heat, leading to global climate change.
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Preview questions from this passageShowHide
- 1Where is the Great Barrier Reef located?
- 2What are coral polyps and what do they build?
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About this report passage for Upper Elementary
“Guardians of the Reef: Biodiversity and Change in the Great Barrier Reef” is a report reading passage about Great Barrier Reef Biodiversity and Climate Change, written for Upper Elementary. It takes about 3 minutes to read (504 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.