CORAL REEFS OF AUSTRALIA : perspectives from beyond the water's edge

Australia’s coral reefs stretch far and wide, covering 50,000 square kilometers from the Indian Ocean in the West to the Pacific Ocean in the East. They have been viewed as a bedrock of coastal livelihoods, as uncharted and perilous nautical hazards, as valuable natural resources, and as unique, natural wonders with secrets waiting to be unlocked. Australia’s coral reefs have sustained a global interest as places to visit, and as objects of study, science, protection and conservation. Coral Reefs of Australia examines our evolving relationship with coral reefs, and explores their mystery and the fast pace at which they are now changing. Corals are feeling the dramatic impacts of global climate change, having undergone several devastating mass coral bleaching events, dramatic species range shifts and gradual ocean acidification. This comprehensive and engaging book brings together the diverse views of Indigenous Australians, coral reef scientists, managers and politicians to reveal how we interact with coral reefs, focusing on Indigenous culture, coastal livelihoods, exploration, discovery, scientific research and climate change. It will inform and inspire readers to learn more about these intriguing natural phenomena and how we can protect coral reefs for the future. Features: A unique interdisciplinary collection celebrating our evolving relationship with Australia’s coral reefs, for coastal livelihoods, scientific study, and environmental protection. Brings together perspectives from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, coral reef scientists, managers, and politicians. Covers the full geographical scope of Australia’s reefs from the Indian Ocean’s Cocos (Keeling) atoll in the West to the Pacific Ocean’s Lord Howe Island in the East. Illustrated throughout with diagrams, maps and photographs of coral reef environments and people interacting with them. Details the development of coral reef science in Australia and how scientists have interacted with reef managers and policy makers to guide effective stewardship of reefs. Cultural sensitivity Readers are warned that there may be words, descriptions and terms used in this book that are culturally sensitive, and which might not normally be used in certain public or community contexts. While this information may not reflect current understanding, it is provided by the author in a historical context. This publication may also contain quotations, terms and annotations that reflect the historical attitude of the original author or that of the period in which the item was written, and may be considered inappropriate today. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are advised that this publication may contain the names and images of people who have passed away. Cover Title Page Copyright Foreword Contents Acknowledgements Preface Author affiliations Abbreviations Cultural sensitivity warning 1: Australia’s coral reefs Coral reefs around Australia The coral reefs of Western Australia The isolated reefs of Australia’s north-west shelf Kimberley corals exposed The Cocos (Keeling) Islands Christmas Island Torres Strait Coral Sea Lord Howe Island The Great Barrier Reef Under the bunggu: the inspiration of sea country References 2: Living with Australia’s coral reefs Changing perceptions of Australia’s coral reefs Three coral reefs in Yanyuwa country, meaningful and powerful Encountering and charting the hazardous reefs of Australia,1622–1864 Frank Hurley’s aquarium and the art of coral reef science Coral reefs of Zenadth Kes (Torres Strait) Saving Australia’s reefs: how much are they worth to us? Bêche-de-mer: the cornerstone of Australian fisheries Western rock lobster and the Houtman Abrolhos Islands Coral reef tourism References 3: The evolution of science on the Great Barrier Reef The Great Barrier Reef Expedition of 1928–29 Revisiting the corals of the Low Isles 90 years later The 1973 expedition to the northern Great Barrier Reef Determining the age of the Great Barrier Reef: a voyage of discovery The Australian Museum’s quest for a research station Early coral reef science at Heron and One Tree islands A network of research stations: advancing reef science under global change References 4: Understanding the fundamentals of coral reefs Scientific drilling on the Great Barrier Reef: unlocking the history of the reef Australia’s reef islands Tropical cyclones and Australia’s coral reefs Marginal reefs: distinct ecosystems of extraordinarily high conservation value The basics of coral biology The importance of reproduction and connectivity in reef renewal Coral reef ecology Sex, baby fish, connectivity and recruitment to reefs The sharks, rays, whales and dugongs of Australia’s coral reefs Sea snakes: a unique group of marine reptiles References 5: Managing Australia’s coral reefs The Great Barrier Reef as a cultural landscape: continuing our connection through the eyes of a Traditional Owner ranger The connectedness of reefs, whales and people: a Yuin teaching Management based on a sound understanding of the Great Barrier Reef Filling in the pieces of the crown-of-thorns starfish puzzle Water quality Impacts and opportunities for floodplain wetlands on the Great Barrier Reef Zoning the Great Barrier Reef Mapping Australia’s coral reefs Citizen science for managing Queensland’s coral reef habitats Monitoring coral reefs at the Australian Institute of Marine Science The use of advanced technology for monitoring coral reefs References 6: Scientists as advocates for Australia’scoral reefs A hundred years of the Australian Coral Reef Society Australia’s role in international coral reef science and management The influence of Australian coral reef science and management: an Indonesian perspective References 7: Conservation and protection of Australia’s coral reefs The Bingil Bay Bastard: John Busst and the making of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park A cultural shift towards environmental protection Saving Ningaloo. Again The story of the Coral Sea Marine Park: science, policy and advocacy Australian coral reefs on the World Heritage list The UNESCO List of World Heritage in Danger: a lever for reform The politics governing survival for the Great Barrier Reef References 8: A changing climate for Australian reefs Climate change and Australia’s coral reefs Responses of coral assemblages to recurrent mass bleaching Coral reefs on the move? Historical degradation and shifting baselines on Australian coral reefs Predicting coral reef futures Adapting for Australia’s reefs of tomorrow: the complex landscape of reef restoration and interventions Reef rehabilitation and restoration Harvesting coral spawn slicks for reef restoration Enhancing corals using assisted evolution Natural extreme reefs as potential coral resilience hotspots Science meets the public, policy and management practitioners The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Advancing Australian reef governance into the Anthropocene: the Great Barrier Reef at the next frontier References Epilogue: The eye of the beholder Reference Index Australia's coral reefs stretch far and wide, covering 50 000 square kilometres from the Indian Ocean in the West to the Pacific Ocean in the East. They have been viewed as a bedrock of coastal livelihoods, as uncharted and perilous nautical hazards, as valuable natural resources, and as unique, natural wonders with secrets waiting to be unlocked. Australia's coral reefs have sustained a global interest as places to visit, and as objects of study, science, protection and conservation. Coral Reefs of Australia examines our evolving relationship with coral reefs, and explores their mystery and the fast pace at which they are now changing. Corals are feeling the dramatic impacts of global climate change, having undergone several devastating mass coral bleaching events, dramatic species range shifts and gradual ocean acidification. This comprehensive and engaging book brings together the diverse views of Indigenous Australians, coral reef scientists, managers and politicians to reveal how we interact with coral reefs, focussing on Indigenous culture, coastal livelihoods, exploration, discovery, scientific research and climate change. It will inform and inspire readers to learn more about these intriguing natural phenomena and how we can protect coral reefs for the future. Cultural sensitivity Readers are warned that there may be words, descriptions and terms used in this book that are culturally sensitive, and which might not normally be used in certain public or community contexts. While this information may not reflect current understanding, it is provided by the author in a historical context. This publication may also contain quotations, terms and annotations that reflect the historical attitude of the original author or that of the period in which the item was written, and may be considered inappropriate today. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are advised that this publication may contain the names and images of people who have passed away.