"Two hundred and fifteen species of birds can be found at the Great Barrier Reef.  Many of these birds nest on nearby islands. The Great Barrier Reef slows down the water and dampen the waves that could crash onto the islands.  The Roseate Tern nests in a ground scrape on beaches, so they benefit from the smaller waves.  Roseate Terns also feed by diving for fish, so they take advantage of the diversity of fish that live near the Great Barrier Reef."