THREATS

As a marine species, G. watsoni is highly susceptible to varying effects of climate change, disturbance, eutrophication and human activity. Climate change may alter available habitats and niches through rising temperatures and sea level, as well as potentially imposing mortality by ocean acidification. Disturbance, eutrophication and human activity may also bring about the mortality of many marine species by pollution or over-enrichment of nutrients, destruction of habitat or by increasing the success or predation by other marine species. It is therefore in the interest of conserving such an exotic species by reducing anthropogenic and climate induced effects so that the diversity of Heron Island and other reef ecosystems may continue to thrive.