Final answer:
A semicolon is needed to connect the two independent clauses in the sentence about the Great Barrier Reef. It highlights the reef as both an ecological wonder and an economic asset.
Step-by-step explanation:
Australia's Great Barrier Reef encompasses a chain of coral reefs, islands, and sandbars along the Queensland coast; the reef is home to tropical fish, stingrays, giant turtles, humpback whales, and thousands of other marine creatures.
The Great Barrier Reef is not just a significant marine ecosystem, but also a vital part of the Australian economy due to its role in tourism. Recognized as a United Nations World Heritage Site, the reef attracts millions of visitors annually to experience its biodiversity, which includes a third of the world's marine fish species, despite making up only one percent of marine habitat.
Australia's Great Barrier Reef encompasses a chain of coral reefs, islands, and sandbars along the Queensland coast. The reef is home to tropical fish, stingrays, giant turtles, humpback whales, and thousands of other marine creatures.