Great Barrier Reef: Underwater Kingdom, Natural Wonder.

🌍 Hidden in the vast blue sea is a breathtaking natural wonder - the Great Barrier Reef 🐠🌊. Like a colorful dragon, it winds along the northeastern coast of Queensland, Australia. It is the largest and longest coral reef system on Earth, known as the "underwater rainforest" 🌿🌈. 🧬 The Great Barrier Reef has a long history, dating back to 5 million years ago, and is one of the oldest coral reefs on Earth. This vast sea area is composed of about 2,900 independent coral reefs and 900 islands, stretching over 2,300 kilometers and covering an area of about 344,000 square kilometers 🗺️. Coral reefs are formed by tiny coral insects and microorganisms over a long period of time by secreting calcareous skeletons. The accumulation of these biological remains eventually forms this colorful underwater world 🐟🧬. 🌈 The natural landscape of the Great Barrier Reef is breathtaking. It is a paradise for divers and a favorite in the lens of photographers. The coral reefs are diverse in shape, some are like underwater peaks, majestic and spectacular; some are like underwater gardens, colorful; and some are as complex as a maze, full of mystery and unknown. In this sea area, there are more than 1,600 species of fish, more than 600 species of coral reefs, more than 4,000 species of mollusks and 242 species of birds, forming a rich and colorful marine ecosystem 🐠🐢🐦. 🌡️ However, in recent years, the Great Barrier Reef is facing unprecedented challenges. Global warming has led to rising ocean temperatures and ocean acidification, putting tremendous pressure on coral reefs. Corals are extremely sensitive to water temperature. High temperatures can trigger coral bleaching, causing corals to lose color and gradually die 😢. According to scientists, the coral coverage of the Great Barrier Reef has decreased by more than half from 1995 to 2017. In addition, pollution from human activities, overfishing, and marine plastic pollution have also caused immeasurable damage to this fragile ecosystem 🚫💔. 💪 Faced with these challenges, the Australian government and the international community have taken a series of measures to protect the Great Barrier Reef. Measures such as establishing protected areas, restricting fishing activities, and reducing pollutant emissions are aimed at protecting and restoring the ecosystem of the Great Barrier Reef. At the same time, scientists are also actively studying the adaptability and resistance of corals, hoping to help coral populations adapt to the pressure of climate change through scientific research and protection measures, and protect this precious natural heritage 🌱🔬. 🌍 The Great Barrier Reef is not only a treasure of Australia, but also a common wealth of all mankind. Let us work together to protect this beautiful underwater world and let the brilliant colors of the Great Barrier Reef shine forever on the blue sea 🌈🌍.