Atmosphere Core’s Post

CORAL REEF NEWS: Coral Crisis: Saving India’s Underwater Rainforests in the Face of Climate Change The coral reefs surrounding India’s Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, and the Gulf of Kutch, often referred to as the “underwater rainforests,” are under unprecedented threat. These vibrant ecosystems, home to over 25% of marine life, are crucial not just for biodiversity but for coastal communities that rely on them for food, income, and protection from storms. However, with rising sea temperatures, coral bleaching, overfishing, and pollution, the survival of these reefs hangs by a thread. In the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, organizations like the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) have established coral nurseries to cultivate and transplant heat-resistant coral species. The ReefWatch Marine Conservation initiative, led by local divers and scientists, has successfully transplanted over 2,000 coral fragments since 2020, with a survival rate of 60-70%. Read full story here: https://lnkd.in/eAqGRi5h #coralreefs #coralreefnews #andamanislands #nicobarislands #coralhealth #coralreefecology #coralrestoration #reefrestoration #climatechange #coralbleaching #marinebiology

Coral reefs indicate the health of the marine ecosystem and are of great importance to the overall environment. In the land of Tigers and Elephants, Coral Reefs are not appreciated or recognized in the same way, which is probably the reason their conservation needs an added impetus. Let us look at how coral reefs in India are being protected and conserved. #corals #coralreefs #India #biodiversity #marineconservation https://lnkd.in/gdEPUXFH

Today, we celebrate World Turtle 🐢 Day, a special opportunity to honor and raise awareness about one of the most fascinating marine creatures—the sea turtle. I want to spotlight the hawksbill turtles, whose beauty and resilience are as awe-inspiring as their struggle for survival. Hawksbill turtles, easily recognized by their striking shell patterns and narrow heads, are a vital part of marine ecosystems 💦, especially in coral reefs like those found in the Red Sea. Despite their ecological importance, hawksbill turtles face significant threats ⚠️from habitat loss, illegal trade, and fishing gear entanglements. Their survival depends on our actions and commitments to marine conservation. On this 🐢🌎World Turtle Day, let's commit to the protection of hawksbill turtles and all sea turtles by supporting marine protected areas and sustainable practices that help preserve our oceans' biodiversity. Every action counts in ensuring these magnificent creatures continue to thrive for generations to come. Let's give turtles more than just one day—let's work together to ensure their future every day. #WorldTurtleDay #MarineConservation #SaveOurOceans

Have you heard about coral nurseries? Coral reefs are the rainforests of the sea. They provide shelter to an abundance of marine life and are crucial to the health of our ocean’s delicate ecosystem. They aren’t just pretty to look at – we need them! With World Ocean Day taking place this week, we’re shedding a spotlight on coral reefs and the significant role they play. Some of their important jobs include: -Protecting coastlines from storms and erosion. -Providing shelter, feeding and nursery grounds for thousands of fish species. -Absorbing excess carbon dioxide in the water. Environmental factors, such as ocean’s warming up, acidification, bleaching and disease outbreaks, all threaten the survival of coral reefs. Humans also have a negative impact on reefs through activities like overfishing, pollution and damage caused by boat anchors. So how do we restore what we have destroyed? With coral nurseries. At our hub in Puerto Morelos, Mexico, participants work alongside marine biologists to grow coral in underwater nurseries which will later be used to repopulate damaged reefs. By supporting coral nurseries, we’re investing in the future of marine ecosystems and biodiversity. Find out more about our Mexico marine conservation programs here: https://lnkd.in/d8RyKcFz #coralreef #marineconservation #conservation #climatechange

Beautiful scuba dive off Key Largo! But Key Largo’s coral reefs are not just beautiful—they’re critical to marine biodiversity, supporting over 1,400 species of marine life. However, these reefs are in crisis. Water Quality Issues: Pollution and runoff are degrading water quality, causing harmful algal blooms and contributing to coral disease. 💧 Climate Change Impact: Rising ocean temperatures have led to significant coral bleaching, with 30% of the world’s reefs already affected. 🌡️ Human Activity: Overfishing and careless tourism practices are further stressing these fragile ecosystems. 🚤 During our dive, we saw the stark contrast between the vibrant marine life and the areas impacted by bleaching. Healthy corals provide habitat and food for many species, but their decline threatens the entire ecosystem. We need to address water pollution, support reef-safe products, and push for stronger environmental regulations. #ocean #coralreef #scuba #scubadiving #keylargo #oceanconservation #reef #florida #outdoors #explore #nature #coralbleaching #climatechange

🌊 Coral Reefs: Vital to Our Planet's Health Coral reefs are among the world's largest living structures and are visible from space! These diverse ecosystems are built by coral polyps, ranging from large colonies to small, solitary organisms. 🪼 Shallow water corals share a unique symbiotic relationship with photosynthetic algae called zooxanthellae, benefiting mutually. Deep-sea corals, however, thrive without these algae, relying on plankton for energy. Coral reefs protect coastlines, support local economies through fishing, diving, and tourism, and are a source of food and medicine for over half a billion people. They also hold cultural significance for many indigenous communities. Protecting coral reefs is essential. Let's work together to ensure these invaluable ecosystems continue to thrive for generations to come! 🌍💙 #CoralReefs #OceanConservation #MarineBiodiversity #ProtectOurOceans #EcoFriendly #SustainableLiving #MarineLife #SaveOurReefs #OceanProtection #EnvironmentalImpact

Today kicks off Coral Reef Awareness Week. Coral reefs are hotspots of biodiversity, but they’re threatened by warming ocean temperatures, pollution, and overfishing. One thing to be aware of this week is how these underwater ecosystems are linked to birds in the skies above them. And seabirds that nest near coral reefs are a great source of nutrients that can help coral reefs recover faster from bleaching caused by oceanic heat waves. https://lnkd.in/gN5CZ2sJ

"Widespread, rapid and intensifying"... That's what the IPCC described the threat to coastal ecosystems by the end of the century, as a result of climate change. But what does this mean for the surrounding wildlife? I came across an article about the affect this could have on our sea turtles and felt compelled to write and draw about it... 🐢 To know how this affects these animals, it's important to know that sea turtles who are ready to lay their eggs begin their migration back to the exact same beaches they were born, to give birth to their own young..... I did not know this until recently! 🐢 It takes them roughly 20 years to get to this fertile nesting stage of their lives, and unfortunately a lot of human interference can happen during this time, meaning the beaches aren’t always 'available' by the time they return. Can you imagine what would happen if we stopped building in the cheapest, fastest way we do and actually took into account how our infrastructures affect the natural world? What if we learnt to build around the natural living world or even in harmony with it? Can you imagine a world where we don’t live within these fundamental learnings that we own, control and have the right to manipulate the natural world? That's for sure a world and a mindset I want my kids to grow up with. #sustainability #climatechange #coastalprotection https://lnkd.in/esRXKRad

Did you know that Bermuda, often mistaken for a Caribbean island, is actually situated in the Atlantic Ocean, over 700 miles off the coast of South Carolina? Despite its northern location, it hosts the world's northernmost coral reef systems and serves as a unique mid-Atlantic sampling station for ocean health. Amidst a global decline in marine ecosystems, Bermuda stands out with relatively healthy reefs, crucial for both local biodiversity and as a barometer of global reef health. The area’s shallow marine habitats are not only vital locally but also serve as an important barometer of global reef health. It is where aquatic plants and animals have a chance of survival until neighboring Caribbean reefs recover. Bermuda’s coral reefs are “doing well,” but the future is uncertain. Dive into the link below to learn about the efforts to safeguard this marine environment to help mitigate the threat of climate change in this area: https://lnkd.in/gMjk6aUi 📷: Owain Johnston-Barnes / The Royal Gazette Limited #marinemonday #marinebiology

Did you know that coral reefs contribute an estimated $375 billion annually to the global economy? And despite supporting livelihoods of 500 million people, human activities are putting these irreplaceable ecosystems at risk, leading to their rapid decline. In the last 30 years, we have lost about 50% of the world's coral reefs. And it's predicted that up to 90% may die within the next century. The primary drivers of this destruction include unsustainable fishing practices, pollution, and climate change. Here's a closer look at some of the most damaging activities: 1️⃣ Blast Fishing Also known as fish bombing (or) grenade fishing, it’s a dangerous practice involving the use of explosives to stun/kill fish. Though illegal worldwide, it continues in isolated regions and is extremely destructive to the surrounding ecosystem such as coral reefs. 2️⃣ Bottom Trawling A commercial fishing technique that involves spreading heavy nets across the ocean floor, crushing and uprooting corals, and disturbing delicate habitats. 3️⃣ Gill Netting It’s a wall of net that hangs in the water with the target of catching fish. However, many unintended species also get caught in the process. And then, the discarded/abandoned nets make their way to the ocean surface where corals live, destroying them and leading to ecological imbalance. 4️⃣ Muro-ami Fishing Most prominent in Southeast Asia, this technique involves dropping large stones onto coral reefs to scare fish into nets. Coral reefs are irreversibly damaged, and many associated species die off. Swipe through the carousel to catch a glimpse of the unsustainable activities. P.S. What else do you think cause damage to pristine corals? Stay tuned as I'll be back tomorrow with Part 2! #coralreefs #marineecosystem #aquaticlife #oceanawareness #sustainabilitywriter