What Is Happening To Our Wild Whitsunday Islands?

It is easy to see Whitsunday Islands and surrounding fringing reefs as static and unchanging. But that is not true, as slow, gradual changes often go unnoticed. Over time these changes may become accepted as the status quo, the way things have always been. This phenomenon is called shifting baseline syndrome.

Shifting baseline describes a gradual change in our accepted norms and expectations for the environment across generations. Unfortunately, our tolerance for environmental degradation increases and our expectations for the natural world are lowered.

Our Whitsunday Island coral reefs are a classic example. Only 50 years ago, the quality and abundance of coral and fish was significantly better than today. As well, the water clarity, on average, was much better. But over time, the reefs have deteriorated due to poor water quality, crown-of-thorns starfish, cyclones, coral bleaching and other impacts.

But people experiencing the island reefs for the first time today would accept what they see as the norm. For the most part, today’s visitors are happy with what they see because they don’t know any better, and that is sad.

This example shows how shifting baselines affect our perception and acceptance of the state of the natural world. In truth similar changes are occurring all around us.

The consequences of shifting baseline syndrome are dire and include an increased tolerance for progressive environmental degradation, changes in people's expectations as to what is a desirable (worth protecting) state of the natural environment, and the establishment and use of inappropriate baselines for nature conservation, restoration, and management.

Now the real challenge is to look beyond the current status quo. We need to move the clock back and help rebuild the natural environment.

You can fight the growing Shifting Baseline Syndrome and help rebuild our natural environment by supporting conservation organisations, reducing our carbon footprint, participating in citizen science activities, supporting only sustainable businesses and industries, and raising awareness. Together, we can help reduce the relentless decline of the environment and provide current and future generations with a more stable baseline of what the world should be.

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Contributed by Whitsunday Conservation Council.

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Healthy Reef

Unhealthy Reef

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