UNESCO researchers have discovered a very special and healthy coral reef. A glimmer of hope for all coral reefs at risk?
Our planet is full of unexpected treasures, many of which lie in the depths of the oceans. Last November, researchers affiliated with UNESCO in the South Pacific made a surprising discovery; Near Tahiti they came a enormous Coral reef Very special and in excellent health. They just posted absolutely amazing photos for their exploration.
We discover an enchanting landscape, where every meter of land is dotted with elegant spirals of coral. In fact, visually this reef has nothing to do with the most famous, such as the Great Barrier Reef. Here it makes no sense to look for the famous characteristic ramifications; Alternatively, there are varieties of giant “roses” that can be more than two meters in diameter.
“It was magical to see these beautiful giant coral roses as far as the eye can seeAlexis Rosenfeld, the French underwater photographer associated with the expedition to whom we owe these exceptional photos, explains.
Luxurious rose field on the edge of a cliff
Size, the researchers say, indicates that these corals may have been blooming for decades. The fact that this otherworldly botanical garden landscape remains invisible for a long time near a tourist attraction is due to its unusual location. In fact, this coral reef has taken up residence between 30 and 70 meters, much deeper than the usual reef.
Actually only one A small part of the sunlight find its way to that depth. So it is a somewhat private area; The most sensitive organisms don’t risk it, but those that live there are generally true survivors, with certain adaptations that allowed them to do this. settles on the edge of the abyss.
And the beautiful roses that make this coral so attractive are just one of these adaptations. In fact, corals feed almost exclusively by filtering Plankton Those in the water, vegetable (phytoplankton) or animal (zooplankton). But due to the lack of available light, these prey, which are usually abundant, are somewhat scarce at this depth.
The scarcity of prey is a selective pressure. These corals have been forced to adapt for generations to survive. as it happens, Natural selection eventually preferred this odd flat shape; This gives the petals with extra large filtration surface, This allows them to fend for themselves despite the scarcity of prey.
real badass
But these reefs aren’t just a breathtaking resource; It is also an exceptional ecosystem in many ways, both scientifically and ecologically. “It’s a one-time positive story about coral reefs, which is quite rare these days.Julien Barbier, head of the UNESCO Maritime Department, applauds.
What makes the researchers so excited is the conservation status of this coral reef, which the researchers currently consider “unrivaled”. Indeed, it is an exception at a time when most coral reefs are being affected by global warming, changes in marine biodynamics and ocean acidification.
So the researchers were surprised to find such a destroyed coral reef. They will continue to study these reefs with special interest; So they hope Read more about how these corals managed to survive Despite the changing conditions of their environment, while their counterparts are often in poor condition. These findings can then be incorporated into coral conservation efforts.
“We think these deep reefs are better protected from global warming’” marine biologist Laetitia Hadwin explains to CNN.The discovery of such a pristine coral reef is good news that could inspire further conservation efforts.‘, specify.
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The fate of coral reefs is an absolute emergency
This would really be a ray of hope for this very basic species in marine biodynamics. There is urgency. Some researchers estimate that half of the coral reefs found in 1950 may have already disappeared. Other work indicates there could be acidification by 2100 Eradicate coral reefs once and for all.
This would be a real ecological disaster as coral reefs do not exist in a vacuum. They are quite big players in their ecosystems; Thus, the survival of thousands of species of animals and plants of all kinds depends directly on the relationship they have with coral reefs, either directly or indirectly. If the latter were to disappear, it would be the death knell for a large part of these species and for all marine biodynamics as we know it, with serious consequences for the biosphere.
For researchers, this is the perfect opportunity to remember the importance of our oceans. They also insist that science absolutely must devote significant resources to it. “We see major investments in space exploration coming when we don’t have enough money to study our home, and the ocean in particular., laments Julian Barbier to CNN.I think this is something that needs to be emphasized over the next ten years – creating the knowledge needed to get the planet back on a healthier path through ocean conservation.concludes.
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