The 2022 Scientific Consensus Statement (the Statement) has been released, bringing together the latest research to understand how activities on the land influence water quality and how water quality affects Reef health.
The Statement:
- Involved more than 200 experts, including 147 authors and reviewers from Australia and overseas.
- It is based on evidence from over 4,000 publications.
- Confirms that the science underpinning the Reef 2050 Water Quality Improvement Plan remains valid.
There are eight overarching themes in the Statement. Key findings include:
- Human-induced climate change is the primary threat to the Great Barrier Reef
- Poor water quality continues to have a detrimental impact on the Reef
- Improving water quality is essential for a resilient reef that can recover from disturbances such as extreme weather and mass coral bleaching events
- Poor water quality can exacerbate climate-related impacts.
Science is at the heart of our efforts to manage and protect the Great Barrier Reef.
The Statement is another piece of important evidence that will support our Reef policies and plans.
It will inform the next Reef 2050 Water Quality Improvement Plan, which will be delivered in 2025.
The Statement is funded by the Australian and Queensland governments.
Visit the 2022 Scientific Consensus Statement to read more.
