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Great Barrier Reef World Heritage area

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Great Barrier Reef World Heritage area wetland area by system 2021
System Area (ha) % wetlands area % total area
Total 88,094 100.0% 0.3%
Total excluding riverine and artificial/highly modified riverine 85,452 97.0% 0.2%
Artificial and highly modified 1,151 1.3% 0.0%
Intertidal (saltmarsh, saltflats, mangroves) (natural) 80,732 91.6% 0.2%
Intertidal (saltmarsh, saltflats, mangroves) (slightly modified) 214 0.2% 0.0%
Lacustrine (natural) 16 0.0% 0.0%
Lacustrine (slightly modified) 49 0.1% 0.0%
Lacustrine (unknown degree of modification) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Palustrine (natural) 2,548 2.9% 0.0%
Palustrine (slightly modified) 745 0.8% 0.0%
Riverine 2,639 3.0% 0.0%
Intertidal (saltmarsh, saltflats, mangroves) (highly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Intertidal (saltmarsh, saltflats, mangroves) (natural) 80,732 91.6% 0.2%
Intertidal (saltmarsh, saltflats, mangroves) (slightly modified) 214 0.2% 0.0%
Lacustrine (artificial) 617 0.7% 0.0%
Lacustrine (highly modified) 531 0.6% 0.0%
Lacustrine (natural) 16 0.0% 0.0%
Lacustrine (slightly modified) 49 0.1% 0.0%
Lacustrine (unknown degree of modification) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Palustrine (artificial) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Palustrine (highly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Palustrine (natural) 2,548 2.9% 0.0%
Palustrine (slightly modified) 745 0.8% 0.0%
Riverine (artificial) 3 0.0% 0.0%
Riverine (highly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Riverine (natural) 2,629 3.0% 0.0%
Riverine (slightly modified) 10 0.0% 0.0%

For definitions of artificial, highly modified, modified, slightly modified and natural wetlands, see the Queensland Wetland Mapping Method - A Method to Provide Baseline Mapping of Wetland Extent and Changes in Wetland Extent in Queensland.

Great Barrier Reef World Heritage area wetland area by habitat 2021
Habitat Area (ha) % wetlands area % total area
Total 73,579 100.0% 0.2%
Mangroves - Casuarina 83 0.1% 0.0%
Mangroves - other 56,380 76.6% 0.2%
Salt marsh and salt flats 13,862 18.8% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid saline lake 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid floodplain lake 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid permanently inundated lake 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain lake 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain rock lake 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain sand (window) lake 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain sand (perched) lake 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain soil lake 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid saline swamp 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid floodplain tree swamp 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid floodplain shrub swamp 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid floodplain grass, sedge and herb swamp 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain tree swamp 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain shrub swamp 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain grass, sedge and herb swamp 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid other non-floodplain swamp 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid Great Artesian Basin fed spring swamp 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain tree (Melaleuca and Eucalypt) swamp 822 1.1% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain wet heath swamp 82 0.1% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain grass, sedge, and herb swamp 186 0.3% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal other non-floodplain swamp < 1 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain tree (Melaleuca and Eucalypt) swamp 1,253 1.7% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain grass, sedge, and herb swamp 894 1.2% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain wet heath swamp 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal other floodplain swamp 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal tree (palm) swamp 18 0.0% 0.0%
Unknown - Swamp - Arid and semi-arid 0 0.0% 0.0%
Unknown - Swamp - Coastal and sub-coastal 0 0.0% 0.0%
Mangroves - Casuarina (natural) 83 0.1% 0.0%
Mangroves - Casuarina (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Mangroves - other (natural) 56,361 76.6% 0.2%
Mangroves - other (slightly modified) 19 0.0% 0.0%
Salt marsh and salt flats (natural) 13,673 18.6% 0.0%
Salt marsh and salt flats (slightly modified) 188 0.3% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid saline lake (natural) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid saline lake (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid floodplain lake (natural) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid floodplain lake (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid permanently inundated lake (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain lake (natural) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain lake (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain rock lake (natural) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain rock lake (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain sand (window) lake (natural) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain sand (window) lake (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain sand (perched) lake (natural) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain soil lake (natural) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain soil lake (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid saline swamp (natural) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid saline swamp (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid floodplain tree swamp (natural) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid floodplain tree swamp (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid floodplain shrub swamp (natural) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid floodplain shrub swamp (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid floodplain grass, sedge and herb swamp (natural) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid floodplain grass, sedge and herb swamp (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain tree swamp (natural) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain tree swamp (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain shrub swamp (natural) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain shrub swamp (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain grass, sedge and herb swamp (natural) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain grass, sedge and herb swamp (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid other non-floodplain swamp (natural) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid other non-floodplain swamp (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid Great Artesian Basin fed spring swamp (natural) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid Great Artesian Basin fed spring swamp (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain tree (Melaleuca and Eucalypt) swamp (natural) 816 1.1% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain tree (Melaleuca and Eucalypt) swamp (slightly modified) 7 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain wet heath swamp (natural) 82 0.1% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain wet heath swamp (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain grass, sedge, and herb swamp (natural) 180 0.2% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain grass, sedge, and herb swamp (slightly modified) 6 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal other non-floodplain swamp (natural) < 1 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal other non-floodplain swamp (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain tree (Melaleuca and Eucalypt) swamp (natural) 1,253 1.7% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain tree (Melaleuca and Eucalypt) swamp (slightly modified) < 1 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain grass, sedge, and herb swamp (natural) 165 0.2% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain grass, sedge, and herb swamp (slightly modified) 728 1.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain wet heath swamp (natural) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain wet heath swamp (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal other floodplain swamp (natural) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal other floodplain swamp (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal tree (palm) swamp (natural) 18 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal tree (palm) swamp (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Unknown - Swamp - Arid and semi-arid (natural) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Unknown - Swamp - Arid and semi-arid (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Unknown - Swamp - Coastal and sub-coastal (natural) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Unknown - Swamp - Coastal and sub-coastal (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%

Disclaimer

Areas do not include marine or estuarine waters but do include estuarine wetland vegetation
(e.g. mangroves and tidal flats).

All statistics are approximate and generated based on data transformed to a customised Albers equal-area projection, thus allowing wetland extent change for different regions of Queensland to be comparable.

Areas may change over time as mapping approaches improve.

Totals may not match the sum of individually displayed figures due to the rounding of displayed figures.

Wetland extent changes

Great Barrier Reef World Heritage area wetland extent change by system
System 2021 area
(ha)
2019 area
(ha)
2017 area
(ha)
2013 area
(ha)
2009 area
(ha)
2005 area
(ha)
2001 area
(ha)
pre-clear area
(ha)
2021/pre-clear
percentage
Total 88,094 88,063 88,063 88,066 87,728 87,625 87,649 87,347 * 99.5%
Artificial and highly modified 1,151 1,119 1,119 1,115 788 694 705 0 n/a
Intertidal (saltmarsh, saltflats, mangroves) (natural) 80,732 80,732 80,733 80,752 80,754 80,739 80,754 80,786 99.9%
Intertidal (saltmarsh, saltflats, mangroves) (slightly modified) 214 214 214 214 201 201 201 0 n/a
Lacustrine (natural) 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 100.0%
Lacustrine (slightly modified) 49 49 49 49 49 54 48 0 n/a
Lacustrine (unknown degree of modification) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 n/a
Palustrine (natural) 2,548 2,548 2,548 2,549 2,549 2,550 2,552 2,882 88.4%
Palustrine (slightly modified) 745 745 745 730 730 730 730 0 n/a
Riverine 2,639 2,639 2,639 2,640 2,640 2,640 2,642 3,662 72.1%
Intertidal (saltmarsh, saltflats, mangroves) (highly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 n/a
Intertidal (saltmarsh, saltflats, mangroves) (natural) 80,732 80,732 80,733 80,752 80,754 80,739 80,754 80,786 99.9%
Intertidal (saltmarsh, saltflats, mangroves) (slightly modified) 214 214 214 214 201 201 201 0 n/a
Lacustrine (artificial) 617 586 586 582 464 352 352 0 n/a
Lacustrine (highly modified) 531 531 531 531 321 340 351 0 n/a
Lacustrine (natural) 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 100.0%
Lacustrine (slightly modified) 49 49 49 49 49 54 48 0 n/a
Lacustrine (unknown degree of modification) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 n/a
Palustrine (artificial) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 n/a
Palustrine (highly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 n/a
Palustrine (natural) 2,548 2,548 2,548 2,549 2,549 2,550 2,552 2,882 88.4%
Palustrine (slightly modified) 745 745 745 730 730 730 730 0 n/a
Riverine (artificial) 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 0 n/a
Riverine (highly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 n/a
Riverine (natural) 2,629 2,629 2,629 2,630 2,630 2,630 2,633 3,662 71.8%
Riverine (slightly modified) 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 0 n/a

* Total 2021/pre-clear percentage excludes artificial and highly modified

Great Barrier Reef World Heritage area wetland extent change by habitat
Habitat 2021 area
(ha)
2019 area
(ha)
2017 area
(ha)
2013 area
(ha)
2009 area
(ha)
2005 area
(ha)
2001 area
(ha)
Total 73,579 73,580 73,580 73,586 73,575 73,560 73,577
Mangroves - Casuarina 83 83 83 83 83 83 83
Mangroves - other 56,380 56,380 56,380 56,395 56,350 56,333 56,350
Salt marsh and salt flats 13,862 13,862 13,862 13,866 13,900 13,901 13,900
Arid and semi-arid saline lake 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid floodplain lake 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid permanently inundated lake 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain lake 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain rock lake 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain sand (window) lake 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain sand (perched) lake 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain soil lake 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid saline swamp 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid floodplain tree swamp 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid floodplain shrub swamp 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid floodplain grass, sedge and herb swamp 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain tree swamp 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain shrub swamp 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain grass, sedge and herb swamp 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid other non-floodplain swamp 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid Great Artesian Basin fed spring swamp 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain tree (Melaleuca and Eucalypt) swamp 822 822 822 824 824 825 827
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain wet heath swamp 82 82 82 82 82 82 82
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain grass, sedge, and herb swamp 186 186 186 186 186 185 185
Coastal and sub-coastal other non-floodplain swamp < 1 < 1 < 1 < 1 < 1 < 1 < 1
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain tree (Melaleuca and Eucalypt) swamp 1,253 1,253 1,253 1,254 1,254 1,254 1,254
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain grass, sedge, and herb swamp 894 894 894 879 879 879 879
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain wet heath swamp 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal other floodplain swamp 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal tree (palm) swamp 18 18 18 18 18 18 18
Unknown - Swamp - Arid and semi-arid 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Unknown - Swamp - Coastal and sub-coastal 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Mangroves - Casuarina (natural) 83 83 83 83 83 83 83
Mangroves - Casuarina (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Mangroves - other (natural) 56,361 56,361 56,362 56,376 56,344 56,328 56,344
Mangroves - other (slightly modified) 19 19 19 19 6 6 6
Salt marsh and salt flats (natural) 13,673 13,673 13,673 13,678 13,712 13,713 13,712
Salt marsh and salt flats (slightly modified) 188 188 188 188 188 188 188
Arid and semi-arid saline lake (natural) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid saline lake (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid floodplain lake (natural) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid floodplain lake (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid permanently inundated lake (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain lake (natural) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain lake (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain rock lake (natural) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain rock lake (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain sand (window) lake (natural) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain sand (window) lake (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain sand (perched) lake (natural) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain soil lake (natural) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain soil lake (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid saline swamp (natural) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid saline swamp (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid floodplain tree swamp (natural) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid floodplain tree swamp (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid floodplain shrub swamp (natural) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid floodplain shrub swamp (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid floodplain grass, sedge and herb swamp (natural) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid floodplain grass, sedge and herb swamp (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain tree swamp (natural) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain tree swamp (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain shrub swamp (natural) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain shrub swamp (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain grass, sedge and herb swamp (natural) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain grass, sedge and herb swamp (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid other non-floodplain swamp (natural) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid other non-floodplain swamp (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid Great Artesian Basin fed spring swamp (natural) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid Great Artesian Basin fed spring swamp (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain tree (Melaleuca and Eucalypt) swamp (natural) 816 816 816 817 817 818 820
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain tree (Melaleuca and Eucalypt) swamp (slightly modified) 7 7 7 7 7 7 7
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain wet heath swamp (natural) 82 82 82 82 82 82 82
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain wet heath swamp (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain grass, sedge, and herb swamp (natural) 180 180 180 180 180 180 180
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain grass, sedge, and herb swamp (slightly modified) 6 6 6 6 6 6 6
Coastal and sub-coastal other non-floodplain swamp (natural) < 1 < 1 < 1 < 1 < 1 < 1 < 1
Coastal and sub-coastal other non-floodplain swamp (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain tree (Melaleuca and Eucalypt) swamp (natural) 1,253 1,253 1,253 1,253 1,253 1,253 1,253
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain tree (Melaleuca and Eucalypt) swamp (slightly modified) < 1 < 1 < 1 < 1 < 1 < 1 < 1
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain grass, sedge, and herb swamp (natural) 165 165 165 165 165 165 165
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain grass, sedge, and herb swamp (slightly modified) 728 728 728 714 714 714 714
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain wet heath swamp (natural) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain wet heath swamp (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal other floodplain swamp (natural) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal other floodplain swamp (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal tree (palm) swamp (natural) 18 18 18 18 18 18 18
Coastal and sub-coastal tree (palm) swamp (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Unknown - Swamp - Arid and semi-arid (natural) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Unknown - Swamp - Arid and semi-arid (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Unknown - Swamp - Coastal and sub-coastal (natural) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Unknown - Swamp - Coastal and sub-coastal (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Disclaimer

Areas do not include marine or estuarine waters but do include estuarine wetland vegetation
(e.g. mangroves and tidal flats).

All statistics are approximate and generated based on data transformed to a customised Albers equal-area projection, thus allowing wetland extent change for different regions of Queensland to be comparable.

Areas may change over time as mapping approaches improve.

Totals may not match the sum of individually displayed figures due to the rounding of displayed figures.

Australian Land Use and Management Classification (ALUMC) metadata

Great Barrier Reef World Heritage area land use
ALUMC code and description Area (ha) % total area
Total 342,113 1.0%
1.1 Nature conservation 115,425 0.3%
1.1.1 Strict nature reserves 101 0.0%
1.1.3 National park 105,784 0.3%
1.1.4 Natural feature protection 8,296 0.0%
1.1.7 Other conserved area 1,244 0.0%
6.3 River 70,670 0.2%
6.3.0 River 68,398 0.2%
6.3.1 River - conservation 2,250 0.0%
6.3.3 River - intensive use 22 0.0%
6.5 Marsh/wetland 66,640 0.2%
6.5.0 Marsh/wetland 10,959 0.0%
6.5.1 Marsh/wetland - conservation 202 0.0%
6.5.2 Marsh/wetland - production 407 0.0%
6.5.3 Marsh/wetland - intensive use 61 0.0%
6.5.4 Marsh/wetland - saline 55,010 0.2%
1.3 Other minimal use 30,254 0.1%
1.3.0 Other minimal use 3,014 0.0%
1.3.1 Defence 8,215 0.0%
1.3.3 Residual native cover 19,025 0.1%
2.1 Grazing native vegetation 17,261 0.0%
2.1.0 Grazing native vegetation 17,261 0.0%
2.2 Production native forests 14,677 0.0%
2.2.0 Production native forests 14,677 0.0%
6.6 Estuary/coastal waters 10,448 0.0%
6.6.0 Estuary/coastal waters 10,106 0.0%
6.6.3 Estuary/coastal waters - intensive use 342 0.0%
1.2 Managed resource protection 8,920 0.0%
1.2.0 Managed resource protection 777 0.0%
1.2.5 Traditional indigenous uses 8,142 0.0%
4.3 Irrigated cropping 1,797 0.0%
4.3.3 Irrigated hay and silage < 1 0.0%
4.3.5 Irrigated sugar 1,796 0.0%
5.4 Residential and farm infrastructure 1,444 0.0%
5.4.1 Urban residential 721 0.0%
5.4.2 Rural residential with agriculture 130 0.0%
5.4.3 Rural residential without agriculture 274 0.0%
5.4.4 Remote communities 257 0.0%
5.4.5 Farm buildings/infrastructure 62 0.0%
5.3 Manufacturing and industrial 1,140 0.0%
5.3.0 Manufacturing and industrial 384 0.0%
5.3.1 General purpose factory 0 0.0%
5.3.2 Food processing factory < 1 0.0%
5.3.3 Major industrial complex 755 0.0%
5.3.5 Abattoirs < 1 0.0%
5.5 Services 1,077 0.0%
5.5.1 Commercial services 214 0.0%
5.5.2 Public services 63 0.0%
5.5.3 Recreation and culture 801 0.0%
6.2 Reservoir/dam 928 0.0%
6.2.0 Reservoir/dam 8 0.0%
6.2.1 Reservoir 71 0.0%
6.2.2 Water storage - intensive use/farm dams 67 0.0%
6.2.3 Evaporation basin 782 0.0%
5.6 Utilities 628 0.0%
5.6.0 Utilities 4 0.0%
5.6.5 Electricity substations and transmission 15 0.0%
5.6.6 Gas treatment, storage and transmission 605 0.0%
5.6.7 Water extraction and transmission 4 0.0%
5.7 Transport and communication 406 0.0%
5.7.0 Transport and communication 2 0.0%
5.7.1 Airports/aerodromes 76 0.0%
5.7.2 Roads 9 0.0%
5.7.3 Railways 3 0.0%
5.7.4 Ports and water transport 273 0.0%
5.7.5 Navigation and communication 44 0.0%
6.1 Lake 155 0.0%
6.1.0 Lake 27 0.0%
6.1.1 Lake - conservation 14 0.0%
6.1.4 Lake - saline 115 0.0%
4.5 Irrigated seasonal horticulture 103 0.0%
4.5.0 Irrigated seasonal horticulture 103 0.0%
3.3 Cropping 61 0.0%
3.3.3 Hay and silage 2 0.0%
3.3.5 Sugar 37 0.0%
3.3.8 Pulses 22 0.0%
5.9 Waste treatment and disposal 36 0.0%
5.9.0 Waste treatment and disposal 28 0.0%
5.9.2 Landfill < 1 0.0%
5.9.5 Sewage 7 0.0%
4.4 Irrigated perennial horticulture 16 0.0%
4.4.1 Irrigated tree fruits 16 0.0%
4.4.3 Irrigated tree nuts < 1 0.0%
5.8 Mining 16 0.0%
5.8.2 Quarries 16 0.0%
5.8.3 Tailings < 1 0.0%
5.2 Intensive animal production 8 0.0%
5.2.5 Aquaculture 8 0.0%
5.2.8 Abandoned intensive animal husbandry < 1 0.0%
3.6 Land in transition 4 0.0%
3.6.0 Land in transition 4 0.0%
5.1 Intensive horticulture < 1 0.0%
5.1.0 Intensive horticulture < 1 0.0%

Wildlife

Kingdom
Class
Native Introduced Wetland
indicator
species
Rare or
threatened
species
All
TOTAL 8,231 872 754 445 9,107
Animals 1,446 52 347 148 1,498
Mammals 168 20 9 30 188
Birds 599 13 104 63 612
Reptiles 284 3 34 25 287
Amphibians 79 1 25 15 80
Ray-finned fishes 116 9 118 7 125
Cartilaginous fishes 31 0 31 5 31
Lampreys 1 0 1 1 1
Insects 161 6 25 2 167
Malacostracans 6 0 0 0 6
Arachnids 1 0 0 0 1
Bacteria 76 0 0 0 76
Chromists 80 0 0 0 81
Fungi 676 0 0 0 676
Plants 5,952 820 407 297 6,775
Protozoans 1 0 0 0 1

Note: Wildlife statistics are based on information that has been submitted to the DETSI WildNet database and converted to a 10km² grid. The grid information has been intersected with the mapping polygons to determine the species lists. Click here to view the species grid metadata.

Information from WildNet can also be accessed via Wildlife Online and WetlandMaps.

Rare or threatened includes species listed as extinct, extinct in the wild, critically endangered, endangered, vulnerable or conservation dependent under either the Nature Conservation Act or Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act

Disclaimer: While every care is taken to ensure the accuracy of this product, the Queensland Government and Australian Government make no representations or warranties about its accuracy, reliability, completeness or suitability for any particular purpose and disclaim all responsibility and all liability (including without limitation, liability in negligence) for all expenses, losses, damages (including indirect or consequential damage) and costs which might be incurred as a consequence of reliance on the product, or as a result of the product being inaccurate or incomplete in any way and for any reason.

AreaType-world-heritage-area

This page should be cited as:

Department of Environment, Science and Innovation, Queensland (2013) Great Barrier Reef World Heritage area — facts and maps, WetlandInfo website, accessed 8 May 2025. Available at: https://wetlandinfo.des.qld.gov.au/wetlands/facts-maps/world-heritage-area-great-barrier-reef/

Queensland Government
WetlandInfo   —   Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation