Nature: Complex Ecosystems 2

– The Great Barrier Reef –

The Great Barrier Reef, spanning over 2,300 kilometers along the northeast coast of Australia, is an intricate ecosystem, teeming with a wide range of marine life. Comprising of around 3,000 individual reef systems, it presents a vibrant underwater landscape that is home to countless species of colourful fish, molluscs, starfish, turtles, dolphins, and whales.

The reef system is not just a sanctuary for marine life, but it also offers protection to the shoreline from wave actions and storms, while providing vital breeding grounds for several species. The complexities of this marine habitat, with its delicate balance of life, is also an area of immense scientific interest.

Unfortunately, this remarkable ecosystem faces serious threats. Climate change and human activities are leading to coral bleaching, overfishing, and pollution, thereby destabilising the intricate web of life in the reef. The preservation of this diverse and delicate environment is paramount, not only for its ecological value but also for the livelihood of communities and industries that depend on its health and resilience.

Choose NO MORE THAN TWO words from the text for each answer.

The Great Barrier Reef is a complex ______, rich with a variety of marine life.
It contains around 3,000 individual ______ systems.
Besides supporting diverse marine species, the reef also shields the ______ from waves and storms.
This intricate marine habitat attracts immense ______ interest.
Unfortunately, the ecosystem is threatened by climate change, ______, and pollution.
The protection of this ecosystem is vital not just for its ecological importance, but also for the ______ of communities and industries that rely on it.

Choose NO MORE THAN ONE word from the text for each answer.

Stretching over 2,300 kilometers, the Great Barrier Reef forms a complex and vibrant ______ habitat. It encompasses about 3,000 distinct ______ systems, hosting a plethora of marine species. Beyond serving as a refuge for marine life, the reef shields the adjacent ______ from wave impacts and storms, and offers crucial breeding areas for many species. However, this intricate habitat, despite being a focus of significant scientific _______, is under threat. Challenges such as climate change, overfishing, and pollution are destabilising its delicate balance, making its preservation vital for its ecological worth and for communities and industries that rely on its ______ and vitality.

Vocabulary Builder

Find the synonyms (words with the same or similar meaning) to these 9 words from the original passage.

Original word	Variants used
ecosystem	_________________
individual	_________________
shoreline	_________________
scientific interest	_________________
threats	_________________
human activities	_________________
preservation	_________________
value	_________________
health and resilience	_________________

Reveal answer (8 More Words)

Original word	Variants used
ecosystem	habitat
individual	distinct
shoreline	coast
scientific interest	scientific focus
threats	challenges
human activities	overfishing
preservation	protection
value	worth
health and resilience	vitality