An ecohydrological model of the Great Barrier Reef

Abstract

The major components of an ecohydrological model of the Great Barrier Reef, Australia, are described; the model predicts the health of individual coral reefs in a 400 km long domain extending from the Whitsunday Islands in the South to Lizard Island in the North. Reef health is parameterised by the spatial cover of algae and hard coral. The model incorporates hydrology, oceanography, meteorology and ecology. The calibrated model could be used to test the implications of various scenarios for increased disturbances due to climate change, or changes in management practice (e.g. improved water quality, increased abundance of herbivorous fishes).