World assessment summary

While the outstanding universal value (OUV) of the Great Barrier Reef remains in good condition, the overall condition of some key attributes is poor and many have deteriorated since its world heritage listing in 1981.

At a reef-wide scale, climate related variables are already having an effect, and are predicted to have an increasing impact on the Great Barrier Reef's outstanding universal value (OUV).

Changes to coastal habitat and reductions in connectivity are having an increasing effect on the Great Barrier Reef's outstanding universal value (OUV).

Although declining marine water quality is one of the most significant threats to the Great Barrier Reef, agricultural practices are improving resulting in reductions in land-based run-off entering the region and the resulting impact on the Reef's outstanding universal value (OUV).

At a reef-wide scale, direct use of the region is a significant economic contributor and its impact on the Great Barrier Reef's outstanding universal value (OUV) is projected to increase with population growth.

Crown-of-thorns starfish are a major predator of coral. Evidence suggests increased nutrient loads contribute to more frequent outbreaks which result in coral cover decline and deterioration of the Great Barrier Reef's outstanding universal value (OUV).