Themes

The 2022 Scientific Consensus Statement on land-based impacts on Great Barrier Reef water quality and ecosystem condition includes evidence on values, condition and drivers of health of the Great Barrier Reef, sediments and particulate nutrients, dissolved nutrients, pesticides, other pollutants, human dimensions of water quality improvements, and emerging science. Each Theme has a high-level summary of the main findings underpinned by several detailed evidence syntheses that address a range of questions relevant to the Theme.

Inshore coral reef at Yunbenun (Magnetic Island), North Queensland. Matt Curnock.
Above and below water at Yunbenun (Magnetic Island) showing rocks and trees above water and a foliose coral reef scene underwater.

Values, condition and drivers of health of the Great Barrier Reef

Burdekin River following heavy rainfall in 2019. Matt Curnock.
A sediment-laden, full Burdekin river following major rainfall and flooding in the Burdekin catchment in 2019.

Sediments and particulate nutrients

Satellite image of the Central Great Barrier Reef showing extent of land-based runoff. Caroline Petus, TropWATER.
Satellite image of the Central Great Barrier Reef showing land and marine environments with green coloration of water indicative of higher levels of nutrients, and brown waters closer to the coast showing sediment inputs from rivers.

Dissolved nutrients

Precision application of pesticides using a shielded sprayer. Rob Milla.
Tractor applying pesticides to a sugarcane field using a shielded sprayer which minimises pesticide drift and targets the crop.

Pesticides and other pollutants

Working together on land management actions for water quality improvement. shotbydave via Canva.
A silouette of two people shaking hands in an agricultural field with a tractor in the background.

Human dimensions of water quality improvement and emerging science

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