The Reef's extraordinary biodiversity and the interconnectedness of species and habitats make the Great Barrier Reef and surrounding areas one of the most complex natural systems on Earth.

Maintaining a healthy and diverse Great Barrier Reef ecosystem is important so it is better able to withstand, recover and adapt to impacts and stress. A productive and healthy Reef environment provides essential resources such as fish and prawns and supports many industries.

The Great Barrier Reef:

• is the world's largest coral reef ecosystem, extending over 14 degrees of latitudinal range

• includes more than 2900 separate coral reefs

• includes deep water features of the adjoining continental shelf including canyons, channels, plateaux and slopes

• is made up of 70 'bioregions' (broadscale habitats) comprising 30 reef bioregions and 40 non-reefal bioregions

• has more than 2000 square kilometres of mangroves, with species representing 54 per cent of the world's mangrove diversity

• has about 6000 square kilometres of seagrass beds

• includes about 1050 islands ranging from small coral cays to large continental islands.