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Which Is the Largest Living Structure on Earth?
naturebiology
Quick Answer
The Great Barrier Reef, visible from space, is the largest structure built by living organisms.
The Full Story
The Great Barrier Reef off northeastern Australia is the largest living structure on Earth, stretching over 2,300 km and covering about 344,400 square kilometres. It was built over millennia by billions of tiny coral polyps — animals no larger than a pencil eraser. The reef system includes about 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands. It supports extraordinary biodiversity: over 1,500 fish species, 400 coral species, and 4,000 mollusc species. Climate change and ocean acidification are its greatest threats.
Key Facts
1.The reef generates about A$6.4 billion per year for Australia's economy.
2.Coral bleaching events in 2016, 2017, and 2020 damaged about half the reef.
3.The reef is larger than the United Kingdom, Switzerland, and the Netherlands combined.
YouTube Angle
Suggested video title for this topic:
"Built by Billions of Tiny Animals — The Great Barrier Reef"