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Great Barrier Reef

Clearing the way for reef destruction

Nature volume 537, page 307 (2016)Cite this article

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Agricultural practices are accelerating the health decline of Australia's Great Barrier Reef, affecting marine and terrestrial ecosystems (see also S. L. Maxwell et al. Nature 536, 143–145; 2016). Last month, intensive opposition from the agricultural lobby blocked new legislation by the Queensland government that would have protected the reef's catchment areas from land clearing — despite support for the legislation from almost 500 scientists (go.nature.com/2cnlftg).

Broadscale land clearing tripled after the state relaxed its vegetation regulations in 2013 (see go.nature.com/2cjn6zm). Subsequent assurances by the state that it would reduce land clearing contributed to last year's decision by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization not to add the Great Barrier Reef to its 'World Heritage In Danger' list.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia

    April E. Reside

  2. James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia

    Tom C. L. Bridge & Jodie L. Rummer

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  1. April E. Reside
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  2. Tom C. L. Bridge
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  3. Jodie L. Rummer
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Correspondence to April E. Reside.

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Reside, A., Bridge, T. & Rummer, J. Clearing the way for reef destruction. Nature 537, 307 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1038/537307d

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