Why was guano mined from islands of the Great Barrier Reef?
Why was guano mined from islands of the Great Barrier Reef? Guano, the cemented deposits formed on islands and cays by accumulations of bird droppings, was extracted from the Great Barrier Reef in order to supply phosphatic fertiliser for agriculture.
Does anyone live on Lady Elliot Island?
It is a premier dive site in Australia renown for it's manta rays, turtles, and whales. There are approximately 30 people working and living on Lady Elliot Island.
What was mined on Lady Elliot Island?
After its discovery in 1816, Lady Elliot Island was mined intensively for guano (bird poo) which was used as a fertiliser, an industry that was beginning to boom at the time. This process was extremely destructive, leaving the island bare and barren for years to come, due to the removal of all soil and vegetation.