While the outstanding universal value of the Great Barrier Reef remains in good condition, the Outlook Report 2019 found the grade is good borderline with poor because the condition of the property has deteriorated to varying extents with respect to the 4 natural world heritage criteria. While the property remains whole and intact, ecosystem resilience is deteriorating, and the property’s size is becoming less effective as a buffer against these disturbances.

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Climate change is the most significant threat to the Great Barrier Reef’s ecosystem and heritage values, and therefore its outstanding universal value.

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The Great Barrier Reef’s ecosystem (and therefore its outstanding universal value) remains vulnerable to the effects of past, current and future coastal development, as well as cumulative impacts.

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Land-based run-off has been identified as one of the key factors influencing the condition of the Great Barrier Reef’s ecosystem and heritage values, and therefore its outstanding universal value.

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The observed impacts from direct commercial and non-commercial use of the Great Barrier Reef are mainly localised. However, collectively, the impacts of this use are obvious (to varying degrees) in many locations. The cumulative effects of extraction and damage to the Great Barrier Reef by direct use, coupled with smaller windows of recovery, are reducing the resilience of the ecosystem.

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Outbreaks of crown-of-thorns starfish are ongoing and causing coral decline on the Great Barrier Reef.

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