Tropical Marinelife Center

  Status and threats to coral reefs Why are coral reefs threatened? The majority of reef loss or damage is not deliberate. Coral reefs are being degraded by an accumulation of stresses arising from human activities. In simple terms, stresses can be grouped by the actions of people extracting material from, and placing materials upon, coral reefs. Overfishing, pollution and coastal development top the list of chronic stressors. In many situations chronic stresses are overwhelming the resilience, (or the capacity for self-repair), of reef communities. Some coral reefs are covered with sand, rock and concrete to make cheap land and stimulate economic development. Others are dredged or blasted for their limestone or to improve navigational access and safety. In addition to this, long-term changes in the oceans and atmosphere (rising sea temperatures and levels of CO2), and acute stresses from highly variable seasons, severe storms, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions also affect coral reefs

Coral Reef Ecology & Biodiversity CORAL REEF ECOLOGY Coral Polyps Hard Corals Soft Corals How Reefs Are Made What Do Corals Reefs Need to Survive? Where Are Coral Reefs Located? How Coral Reefs Grow How Corals Reproduce Types of Coral Reef Formations REEF THREATS Global Direct WHY CARE ABOUT REEFS? Although they cover less than 0.1% of the earth’s surface, coral reefs are the most biodiverse marine ecosystem in the world. Coral reefs are home to: 4,000 species of reef fish 840 species of corals Over 1 million species of other animals Where are corals located ? Coral reefs can be found in tropical destinations around the world, mostly in areas around the equator where the water is warmer. More than 100 countries have a coral reef within their borders, and over half of the world’s coral reefs are found within six countries: Australia, Indonesia, Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, and the Maldives. Coral reefs are at the center of many coastal and island cultures worldwide. For exam

  Could satellite-based technology save coral reefs? 03.24.2021  /  Posted in  Science News Could satellite imagery save coral reefs? Scientists are working to find out. Photo by Ishan @seefromthesky on Unsplash. Atlases and maps are helpful for planning trips and exploring geography, but researchers believe they may also serve another, more important purpose: Identifying priority coral reef conservation areas. With a new three-year $300,000 grant from  Lyda Hill Philanthropies , the  Coral Reef Alliance  (CORAL) and partners can begin to test their hypothesis that satellite-based imagery and high-tech maps of the world’s coral reefs can help inform conservation decision-making processes and actions. More specifically, researchers will use maps to remotely investigate and identify coral reefs that are in locations with high levels of habitat and thermal diversity, characteristics that help the corals adapt to rising ocean temperatures and other impacts of global climate change. Conserv

Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve, Maldives The Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve is located in the central western part of the Maldives in the Indian Ocean. The atoll is situated just north of the Kashidhoo Kandhoo channel, which geographically divides the northern chain of atolls. It supports one of the largest groups of coral reefs in the Indian Ocean, and acts as a stepping stone for the transport of planktonic larvae of reef organisms from the western and eastern Indian Ocean. The reserve is home to a globally significant biodiversity among its numerous reefs and demonstrates a long history of human interaction with the environment.  Designation date: 2011 Networks Regional network:  South East Asian Biosphere Network (SeabrNet) Ecosystem-based network:    Description Map Surface:  139,714 ha Core area(s) : 3,916.2 ha (terrestrial: 66.2 ha; marine: 3850 ha) Buffer zone(s) : 1,824 ha (all marine) Tansition zone(s):  133,973.8 ha (terrestrial: 973.8 ha; marine: 133,000) Location:  05°11’N – 73°

  Five fascinating facts about whale sharks M. Zahirul Islam, email: marinelife.al@gmail.com     Whale sharks are the world’s largest living fish, with fully-grown adults weighing as much as three elephants. Despite their size, these ocean giants traverse thousands of kilometers annually. Multiple species undergo migration to the warm waters of the world ocean, specifically between April and July each year.   Whale sharks, which belong to the shark family, reach lengths of up to 18 meters and can weigh as much as 19 tonnes. While they are capable of diving to depths exceeding one kilometer, they are often observed swimming near the shoreline. Year after year, divers and snorkelers eagerly gather at whale shark sighting locations in the Indian Ocean Caribbean seas and Southeast Asian regions, drawn by the opportunity to swim alongside these magnificent and gentle creatures.   Five remarkable insights about whale sharks:   ·          Filter feeders: Despite possessin