South Australian reef systems are typically rocky outcrops covered
in macroalgae (kelp) and invertebrates. Like coral reefs they
are highly diverse environments, but are generally not well understood
by the general community, except perhaps by those who dive and
fish.
Reefs are constantly changing due to natural causes, as well
as from human activity. One of the main things damaging reefs
is believed to be an increase of sediments settling on the reef.
This causes some organisms to become clogged and reduces the amount
of hard material available for algae to grow on. Nutrients can
also damage reefs by allowing microscopic algae to become so abundant
that they reduce the amount of light getting to the reef.
The EPA commissioned studies by the Adelaide and Flinders Universities
into the health of reefs along the metropolitan coast in 1996
and again in a slightly expanded version in 1999. It was found
that the reefs in the northern part of the metropolitan coastline
are in poor condition compared to the reefs in the southern region.
However, many new questions were raised and the South Australian
Research & Development Institute (SARDI) are leading a collaborative
project, which includes the EPA, to look at nearly 40 reefs, including
the ones studied in 1996 & 1999, in more detail to see if
there have been changes since 1996 and to look at the condition
of many reefs for the first time.
