#Coral reefs

[wachinyeya]

[mindblowingscience]

Coral reefs worldwide are in trouble. These ecosystems support a billion people and more than a quarter of marine species. Still, many have been damaged by unsustainable fishing and tourism, coastal construction, nutrient runoff, and climate change. Now, researchers have shown that broadcasting the sounds of healthy reefs is a way to encourage larval corals to repopulate degraded sites and help revitalize them.

Continue Reading.

[neon-glowing-rainbow-stims]

🌈🪸 ~ Ode to Goniopora Coral ~ 🪸🌈

❤️..🧡..💛||💚..💚..🩵||💙..💜..🩷

[reasonsforhope]

"The world's coral reefs are close to 25 percent larger than we thought. By using satellite images, machine learning and on-ground knowledge from a global network of people living and working on coral reefs, we found an extra 64,000 square kilometers (24,700 square miles) of coral reefs – an area the size of Ireland.

That brings the total size of the planet's shallow reefs (meaning 0-20 meters deep) to 348,000 square kilometers – the size of Germany. This figure represents whole coral reef ecosystems, ranging from sandy-bottomed lagoons with a little coral, to coral rubble flats, to living walls of coral.

Within this 348,000 km² of coral is 80,000 km² where there's a hard bottom – rocks rather than sand. These areas are likely to be home to significant amounts of coral – the places snorkelers and scuba divers most like to visit.

You might wonder why we're finding this out now. Didn't we already know where the world's reefs are?

Previously, we've had to pull data from many different sources, which made it harder to pin down the extent of coral reefs with certainty. But now we have high resolution satellite data covering the entire world – and are able to see reefs as deep as 30 meters down.

Pictured: Geomorphic mapping (left) compared to new reef extent (red shading, right image) in the northern Great Barrier Reef.

[AKA: All the stuff in red on that map is coral reef we did not realize existed!! Coral reefs cover so much more territory than we thought! And that's just one example. (From northern Queensland)]

We coupled this with direct observations and records of coral reefs from over 400 individuals and organizations in countries with coral reefs from all regions, such as the Maldives, Cuba, and Australia.

To produce the maps, we used machine learning techniques to chew through 100 trillion pixels from the Sentinel-2 and Planet Dove CubeSat satellites to make accurate predictions about where coral is – and is not. The team worked with almost 500 researchers and collaborators to make the maps.

The result: the world's first comprehensive map of coral reefs extent, and their composition, produced through the Allen Coral Atlas. [You can see the interactive maps yourself at the link!]

The maps are already proving their worth. Reef management agencies around the world are using them to plan and assess conservation work and threats to reefs."

-via ScienceDirect, February 15, 2024

[heartnosekid]

the candy crab (hoplophrys oatesi) | jacobguy.media on ig

[vestaignis]

PHLYCTENACTIS TUBERCULOSA.

Phlyctenactis tuberculosa, широко известная как блуждающая морская актиния или плавающая актиния, является видом морских анемонов семейства актиний. Она произрастает в мелководных морях вокруг Австралии и Новой Зеландии, а также встречается в Чили. Впервые была описана французским зоологом Жан��м Рене Константом Куа и французским натуралистом Жозефом Полем Геймаром. Они были военно-морскими хирургами французского флота, которые собрали значительные коллекции различных организмов во время путешествий.

Эта актиния покрыта пузырчатыми мешочками и бывает разных цветов: от коричневато-оранжевого, лилового, светло-серого до коричневого. Щупальца светлее и могут быть бледно-желтого, серого, коричневого или оранжево-желтого цвета. Она вырастает до максимального размера 15 сантиметров (6 дюймов) в диаметре ,со стеблем, который может достигать 25 сантиметров (10 дюймов) в длину. В течение дня блуждающая морская актиния остается скрученной вместе, выглядя как шар из печеных бобов.

Этот ночной вид актинии, обитает на открытых побережьях и среди защищенных коралловых рифов на глубине до 35 метров. Он прикрепляется к камням, морским травам и водорослям, но может отцепить свой педальный диск и обычно дрейфует по морскому дну. Плавающая актиния передвигается по морскому дну, ползая с помощью своего базального диска, а ночью взбирается на морские травы или водоросли, чтобы найти лучшее место для перехвата проплывающей мимо добычи.

Странствующий морской анемон ядовит, и прикосновение к щупальцам может вызвать болезненный укус. Пловцам рекомендуется избегать прикосновений к анемону и надевать защитную одежду.

Phlyctenactis tuberculosa, commonly known as the wandering sea anemone or floating anemone, is a species of sea anemone in the family Anemoneidae. It is native to shallow seas around Australia and New Zealand, and is also found in Chile. It was first described by the French zoologist Jean René Constant Coix and the French naturalist Joseph Paul Gaymard. They were naval surgeons in the French Navy who made significant collections of various organisms during their voyages.

This anemone is covered in bladder-like sacs and comes in a variety of colors, from brownish-orange, lilac, light gray, to brown. The tentacles are lighter and can be pale yellow, gray, brown, or orange-yellow. It grows to a maximum size of 15 centimetres (6 in) in diameter, with a stalk that can reach 25 centimetres (10 in) in length. During the day, the wandering sea anemone remains coiled together, looking like a ball of baked beans.

This nocturnal species of sea anemone lives on exposed coastlines and among sheltered coral reefs at depths of up to 35 metres (115 ft). It attaches itself to rocks, sea grasses and seaweed, but can detach its pedal disc and usually drifts along the sea floor. The floating anemone moves along the sea floor by crawling with its basal disc, and at night climbs onto sea grasses or seaweed to find the best place to intercept passing prey.

The wandering sea anemone is venomous, and touching its tentacles can cause a painful sting. Swimmers are advised to avoid touching the anemone and to wear protective clothing.

Источник://t.me/+E4YBiErj0A8wOGUy,/collections.museumsvictoria.com.au/species/8618,/atlasoflife.org.au/creaturefeatures/2021/01/07/an-early-brief-snorkel,/www.reeflex.net/tiere/8754_Phlyctenactis _ tuberculosa.htm,//www.realmonstrosities.com/2015/01/wandering-sea-anemone.html,//shapeandtheidea.wordpress.com /2015/10/11 / wandering-anemone/,/animalia.bio/index.php/phlyctenactis-tuberculosa.

[wildlifexx]

I invite you to immerse yourself and just enjoy the tranquility and the view under the sea

[uncharismatic-fauna]

A Tip for the Blacktip Reef Shark

One of many species referred to as blacktip sharks, Carcharhinus melanopterus is a member of the requiem shark genus. It is a popular attraction at aquariums around the world, but in the wild they are found only on the coral reefs of the Indian and Pacific ocean, particularly around the coasts of eastern Africa, southern Asia, and Oceania. They prefer shallow, warm waters, although they can be found at depths of up to 75m (246 ft).

The blacktip reef shark is named for the tip of its dorsal fin, which is black. They are otherwise typical of sharks, with a torpedo-shaped body and wide, broad fins. Adults are brownish grey on top and lighter on the bottom, while juveniles are more yellow. Individuals can grow up to 1.8 m (6 ft) long, and there is no difference in size between males and females. However, the two sexes are easily distinguished by a pair of claspers located just beneath the male's pelvic fins.

Throughout their range, C. melanopterus may be encountered alone or in lose social groups, with little discrimination for sex or age. They generally stay in the same area, patrolling a range of less than 0.55 km2 (0.21 sq mi), the smallest of any shark species. They do most of their hunting at night, although they can be active early in the morning or late in the afternoon. Blacktip reef sharks regularly feed on a variety of prey, including fish, squid, octopi, cuttlefish, mantis shrimp, and smaller sharks and rays. However, smaller individuals may themselves fall prey to groupers, grey reef sharks, or tiger sharks. Due to their poor vision, some blacktip reef sharks may attack humans, but only as a case of mistaken identity; when approached directly, individuals are more likely to swim away than fight.

The mating season can vary widely across C. melanopterus' range. Around Oceania, populations mate only once a year between January and February, or November and March. Off the coast of East Africa females only reproduce every other year, and in the Indian Ocean they reproduce twice a year. When they are receptive, females spin in a slow, downward spiral while releasing pheromones to attract a mate. Once he finds her, the pair swim in sync for a period before he initiates mating. Afterwards, the female may gestate for anywhere from 7-11 months, depending on her region. Following this period, she gives birth to 2-5 live young, who are immedietly independent. Males typically take 4 years to reach maturity, while females take 7 years; both sexes can live up to 12 years in the wild.

Conservation status: The blacktip reef shark is listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN. It's primary threats are fishing, as individuals are killed either as by-catch or intentially for their fins, skin, and teeth. They are also threatened by habitat loss.

If you like what I do, consider buying me a ko-fi!

Photos

Tim Calver

Alastair Freeman

Doug Finney

[garfieldstim]

@/deadboystims 300 follower event -> day 11: make a stimboard based on the ocean

x x x / x x x / x x x

[sitting-on-me-bum]

Blue-ringed octopus (Hapalochlaena)

The blue-ringed octopus is found mostly coral reefs around Southeast Asia and Australia.

(Image credit: Subaqueosshutterbug/Getty Images)

[m00nb04rd5]

Moodboard of Crimson Coral Cookie pls!

Crimson Coral Cookie (Cookie Run)

[mindblowingscience]

At a time when marine life is disappearing from the world's oceans, researchers are celebrating the discovery of a new species of coral reef fish in the southern waters of the Great Barrier Reef. Named the Lady Elliot Shrimp Goby, the previously unknown fish was found as part of a University of the Sunshine Coast-led project that is mapping the changing biodiversity on and around Lady Elliot Island, a tiny coral cay at the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef.

Continue Reading.

[neon-glowing-rainbow-stims]

*.✲ﾟ*｡✧ ~ Mesmerize ~ *.✲ﾟ*｡✧ (reefaquariumfish)

(Learn how to help save and protect coral reefs!)

[reasonsforhope]

"The world’s coral reefs are close to 25% larger than we thought. By using satellite images, machine learning and on-ground knowledge from a global network of people living and working on coral reefs, we found an extra 64,000 square kilometers of coral reefs — an area the size of Ireland.

That brings the total size of the planet’s shallow reefs (meaning 0-20 meters deep) to 348,000 square kilometers — the size of Germany. This figure represents whole coral reef ecosystems, ranging from sandy-bottomed lagoons with a little coral, to coral rubble flats, to living walls of coral.

Within this 348,000 km² of coral is 80,000 km² where there’s a hard bottom — rocks rather than sand. These areas are likely to be home to significant amounts of coral — the places snorkelers and scuba divers most like to visit.

You might wonder why we’re finding this out now. Didn’t we already know where the world’s reefs are?

Previously, we’ve had to pull data from many different sources, which made it harder to pin down the extent of coral reefs with certainty. But now we have high resolution satellite data covering the entire world — and are able to see reefs as deep as 30 meters down.

We coupled this with direct observations and records of coral reefs from over 400 individuals and organizations in countries with coral reefs from all regions, such as the Maldives, Cuba and Australia.

To produce the maps, we used machine learning techniques to chew through 100 trillion pixels from the Sentinel-2 and Planet Dove CubeSat satellites to make accurate predictions about where coral is — and is not. The team worked with almost 500 researchers and collaborators to make the maps.

The result: the world’s first comprehensive map of coral reefs extent, and their composition, produced through the Allen Coral Atlas.

The maps are already proving their worth. Reef management agencies around the world are using them to plan and assess conservation work and threats to reefs...

In good news, these maps are already leading to real world change. We’ve already seen new efforts to conserve coral reefs in Indonesia, several Pacific island nations, Panama, Belize, Kenya and Australia, among others."

-via GoodGoodGood, May 2, 2024

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Note: You can see the maps yourself by going here!

[heartnosekid]

kelp forests & underwater structures centered around “what the water gave me” by florence & the machine for @kelpforrest!

🪸-🌊-🪸 / 🌊-🪸-🌊 / 🪸-🌊-🪸