Science and research

Scientific knowledge, research and data have been informing Reef-based policy and action for decades.

Knowledge and understanding about land-based impacts to Great Barrier Reef water quality and ecosystem condition have been synthesised in successive scientific consensus statements. This science is used in the Reef 2050 Water Quality Improvement Plan.

2022 Scientific Consensus Statement on land-based impacts on Great Barrier Reef water quality and ecosystem condition

The independent and peer-reviewed 2022 Scientific Consensus Statement (the Statement) delves deep into the science used to understand how activities on the land influence water quality and how these influences can be managed.

Development of the Statement followed international best practice standards for evidence synthesis, peer review and consensus process.

The Statement involved 147 authors and reviewers from Australia and overseas and its outputs are based on evidence from over 4,000 publications.

Other science

In addition, every five years, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority prepares an Outlook Report that provides an independent assessment of the health, condition, use, management arrangements and long-term outlook for the Reef.

The Outlook Report 2019 identifies the Reef is facing significant pressures ranging in scale from local to global.

In particular, the Outlook Report identifies initiatives to halt and reverse the effects of climate change at a global level and effectively improving water quality at a regional scale are the most urgent to improve the Reef’s long-term outlook.

The Reef 2050 Water Quality Research, Development and Innovation Strategy guides investment, creation and implementation of the knowledge and research required to achieve the targets, objectives and long-term outcomes of the Reef 2050 Water Quality Improvement Plan.

The Reef Water Quality Independent Science Panel provides advice on implementing and monitoring progress against the Reef 2050 Water Quality Improvement Plan.

Farm management practices promoted by the governments are based on the best available science and guided by industry-led expertise. They focus on improving Reef water quality while improving and maintaining grower productivity and profitability.