Heisel-Sure, Yannik (2022) How to Protect the Great Barrier Reef? A Possible Shift Towards More Integrated Land-Sea Planning. Master thesis.
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Abstract
As of today, the Australian Great Barrier Reef is declining and mostly threatened by climate change, land-based run-offs, coastal development and fishing activities. Marine protected areas are considered more and more insufficient, especially in protecting coral reefs from impacts that arise outside their spatial boundaries. This study focused on land-based run-offs as one of those threats and examined to what extent these are considered in Australia’s policies and current coral reef management. Furthermore, it was investigated how land-based threats can be minimised and better integrated into the current coral reef management in the wider Great Barrier Reef area. The theoretical framework under study incorporated the concepts of Ecosystem-Based Management, Marine Spatial Planning and Integrated Coastal Zone Management. Based on these three concepts as well as on additional literature, principles for a future land-sea planning approach were established. To find answers to the research questions under study, a document analysis and semi-structured interviews were carried out. The findings reveal that agricultural activities on land are the main cause for poor water quality due to excess nutrients, sediments and pesticides, which are discharged into the waterways. The study identified scope for improvements through the implementation of a superordinate and sector overarching governance system, a closer cooperation with key stakeholders, the relocation and buy-out of farming properties close to critical water bodies and the reinforcement of stronger regulations. Beyond that, the study emphasised the importance and benefits of a land-sea planning approach that considers both realms, the land and the sea, to protect the Great Barrier Reef from future land-based threats. The findings highlight that land-sea planning is already done to some extent in Australia. However, it is expected that even a fully integrated land-sea planning approach will not save the Great Barrier Reef in the future, but it certainly can contribute to its resilience.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Master) |
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| Degree programme: | Environmental & Infrastructure Planning |
| Supervisor: | Miller, C.A. |
| Date Deposited: | 02 Sep 2022 14:22 |
| Last Modified: | 02 Sep 2022 14:22 |
| URI: | https://frw.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/4013 |
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