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Australia is home to some of the world's most significant and spectacular coral reef systems, with the most famous being the Great Barrier Reef. Here's a breakdown of key facts about Australian coral reefs:
The Great Barrier Reef
 * The World's Largest: The Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef system on Earth. It stretches for over 2,300 kilometers along the coast of Queensland, from the northern tip of Australia to just north of Bundaberg.
 * A Vast Ecosystem: The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park covers a massive area of approximately 344,400 square kilometers. While famous for its coral reefs, they only make up about 7% of this area. The ecosystem also includes around 3,000 individual reefs, 600 continental islands, and 300 coral cays.
 * Incredible Biodiversity: This intricate system provides a home for a huge variety of life. It contains over 400 species of coral, 1,500 species of fish, 4,000 types of mollusks, and a range of other marine animals, including threatened species like the dugong and large green turtles.
 * Economic and Cultural Importance: The reef is a major tourist destination, contributing billions of dollars annually to the Australian economy and supporting tens of thousands of jobs. It is also recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site and is a significant part of Australia's natural heritage.
Other Australian Reefs
While the Great Barrier Reef is the most well-known, Australia has other important coral reef systems.
 * Ningaloo Reef: Located in Western Australia, Ningaloo Reef is the world's largest fringing reef, where you can walk directly from the beach into the coral system. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage-listed site and is known for its seasonal gatherings of whale sharks.
 * Lord Howe Island Marine Park: Situated in the Tasman Sea, this is the world's southernmost coral reef, home to more than 80 coral species.
Threats to Australian Coral Reefs
Australian reefs, like many others around the world, face a number of significant threats:
 * Climate Change: This is considered the single greatest threat. Rising sea temperatures cause marine heatwaves, which lead to coral bleaching events. Projections suggest that by the 2030s, Australian reefs could experience severe coral bleaching twice a decade, and almost annually by the 2050s.
 * Poor Water Quality: Land-based pollution, including sediment and nutrient runoff from agricultural practices, can harm the reef's health.
 * Crown-of-Thorns Starfish: Outbreaks of this coral-eating starfish can cause massive damage to coral reefs.

 * Coastal Development and Other Human Pressures: Coastal development, unsustainable fishing practices, and marine debris are also local threats that impact reef health.

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