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The complexity of coral reef ecosystems is not surprising given the great length of time that these ecosystems have been in existence. While the shallow water distribution of coral reefs has varied with the alternation of glacial and interglacial periods, in their broad biological form, coral reefs have existed since the Precambrian and reefs similar to present reefs have existed for around 50 million years.
Since the late 1950's, coral reefs of the Indo-West Pacific region have experienced population outbreaks of the corallivorous crown-of-thorns starfish. The resultant loss of hard coral cover on some reefs of the Great Barrier Reef was studied during the period of outbreak, and subsequently, so that both the short- and long-term effects of this predator would be known.
The role of this predator in the elevation or lowering of coral species diversity on the Great Barrier Reef has not been studied adequately. It is apparent that some reefs become reinfested with starfish about 15 years following the initial infestation. It would appear, that when the quantity (not necessarily diversity) of a reef's hard coral cover has regrown, the starfish can recruit again in high numbers.
In addition to starfish outbreaks, the Great Barrier Reef is suffering from recurring coral bleaching events due to global warming and increased nutrient runoff from the adjacent mainland. It will require a sustained effort to understand the impact of these events and how best to mitigate them. In the end, the future of the Reef is up to us to decide.
The following Artificial Intelligence (AI) images are derived from the previous pictures using Dream Studio and show the enormous future potential of the Great Barrier Reef's beauty, whether it be related to conservation, ecotourism, or art.
