THE GREAT BARRIER REEF (AUSTRALIA PART 3)

scientists believe the great barrier reef began forming about ____1_____years ago. today, large numbers of tourists visit the reef, and petroleum companies want to drill in the area for__2___. convervationists, people who want _____3______ to protect the reef from possible damage, are worried that oil drilling would damage the reef, killing the live coral

1. 600,000 2. oil 3. laws passed

the coral that forms the great barrier is made of the ___1___ of dead water animals called _____2____

1. hardened skeletons 2. polyps

coral reefs act as barriers to _____1_____,protecting shorelines and coastal property from ___2____and ____3_____damage

1. incoming waves 2. erosion 3. storm

the great barrier reef stretches along the _____1______ coast of Australia from the gulf of papua to lady Elliot island. It is a series of coral reef, which are underwater limestone formations, an is sometimes nicknamed___2___

1. northeastern 2. the eight wonder of natural world

scientists agree that the biggest threat to coral reefs is ___1_____. taking too many fish from the reef can allow the overgrowth of algae. this algae can smother the underlying corals and prevent young coral ____2_____to the reef and growing into adults

1. overfishing 2. attaching

the shallow, clear water of the tropics provide perfect conditons 0f_____1_____warmth,_2__, and food for coral reef growth. However, if these environmental conditions change, the health and survival of a reef can be put at risk.

1. sunlight 2. wave energy