It has typically been thought that in order for corals to thrive, they need clear water that allows sunlight to penetrate through the surface water enough to accommodate the corals [2]. It was originally believed that coral reefs could not withstand the unfavorable conditions present at the Amazon River mouth because rivers have been known to create reef gaps due to the salinity levels, pH levels, light penetration levels, and available nutrients [5] .
The Amazon River is responsible for 20% of global riverine flow to the ocean resulting in extensive muddy water. Despite the unfavorable conditions that the river produces, coral reefs were discovered at the amazon river mouth. This newly discovered incredible reef could serve as the poster child for coral reef conservation and aid in the journey of understanding climate change effects on coral reefs around the globe. |
Findings:
It all started in the 1970’s when scientists had discovered various reef associated species present within proximity to the amazon river mouth [1]. Fast forward a few decades and scientists have recently discovered a coral reef that stretches 600 miles and is inhabited by 73 different reef fish species and 61 sponge species [7]. This research was conducted by using many different data collection methods which included water recorders, multi-beam acoustic sampling, surface pumps, dredging, trawling, and box-coring. There was an increased amount of reef associated species discovered along the southern part of the reef where more light penetration was present. On the other hand, there were more sponge species found along the northern part of the reef where the light penetration levels are low. This may be a result of the sponges being more tolerable to harsher conditions as compared to the fish species. |
The diversity and abundance of the sponges located along the northern sector may be a result of the turbidity of the water, whereas competition and predation is controlling the population in the southern sector. Many reef associated organisms where found at both sides of the river mouth. This is hypothesized to be due to long larval dispersal, rafting, or demersal migration [5].
Threats:
Many researchers are saying that the reef has been discovered just in time for us to witness it become destroyed [5]. It just so happens that where this newly discovered hidden reef is located, oil is also present. This means that there is a possibility that oil drilling could destroy this fascinating reef, possibly in the near future. Some of the many other threats that coral reefs all around the world face includes warming rising seas, ocean acidification, increased storms, water pollution, overfishing, coastal development, and coral mining. Because of the increase of ocean warming, there is in turn an increase in storm activated swells. These swells cause the removal of carbonates and increased sediment loss from the coral reef ecosystems even with small wave energy changes [3]. Although this reef is very strong and adaptable, some data reflect that some parts of the reef are distressed and suffering from coral bleaching. There is a rapid decline in coral reefs that are proven by biodiversity losses and future predications of worse conditions due to overfishing, pollution, ocean acidification, and increased global temperatures [5]. |
Conservation:
The discovery of this unique reef at the mouth of the Amazon River could possibly help promote conservation efforts and help society understand the implications caused by global warming and ocean acidification. The reefs ability to adapt to such harsh unsuitable environments could help scientists and researchers understand and possibly predict what our current coral reef systems will be like in the coming years and how climate change will affect them. This newly discovered reef is poor in terms of biodiversity, but it would be helpful to learn how the reef functions with such low levels of biodiversity and how this could possibly apply to high biodiversity reefs in the future. Many conservation organizations and governments are collectively attempting to protect reefs. However, conservationists have not been able to keep up with the anthropogenic threats [6]. Coral reefs are critical as a food source to civilization that are present near reefs. A lot of the compounds from reefs are now being used in the medical industry, many that are being used to treat cancer. Basically, coral reefs are an important ecosystem that must not be destroyed and completely decimated. To carry out this plan of conservation, several things need to be addressed, such as overfishing, unsustainable development, reduced emissions, and improved reef management. Not much is known about this newly discovered reef, but with increased research and a more educated population, conservation efforts would become more clear. |
To read other conservation case studies click below:
Sources:
[1] Collette, B. B., & Klaus, R. (1977). Reef Fishes Over Sponge Bottoms Off the Mouth of the Amazon River. 1-6.
[2] Coral Reef Alliance. What Do Coral Reefs Need to Survive? (n.d.). Retrieved November 20, 2016. http://coral.org/coral-reefs-101/coral-reef-ecology/what-do-coral-reefs-need-to-survive/
[3] Kuffner, I. B., & Toth, L. T. (2016). A geological perspective on the degradation and conservation of western Atlantic coral reefs. Conservation Biology. 30(4), 706-715.
[4] Meyer, R. (2016). Scientists Have Discovered a 600-Mile Coral Reef. The Atlantic. Retrieved November 20, 2016. http://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2016/04/scientists-discover-a-new-coral-reef-at-the-amazons-mouth/479259/
[5] Moura et al. (2016). An extensive reef system at the Amazon River mouth. Science Advances. 4:1-11.
[6] Wear, S. L. (2016). Missing the boat: Critical threats to coral reefs are neglected at global scale. Marine Policy, 74153-157.
[7] Welch, C. (2016). Surprising, Vibrant Reef Discovered in the Muddy Amazon. National Geographic. Retrieved November 20, 2016. http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/04/220416-Amazon-coral-reef-Brazil-ocean-river-fish/
Picture Credits:
[1] Global Water Forum https://www.flickr.com/photos/globalwaterforum/7845894330
[2] Lance Willis/UGA http://www.cnn.com/2016/04/23/world/amazon-river-coral-reef-irpt/
[3] NASA https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/speaking-of-science/wp/2016/04/25/scientists-find-a-massive-coral-reef-just-chilling-in-the-amazon/
[4] Carlos Rezende (UENF), Fabiano Thompson (UFRJ)/NPR and F. Moraes http://www.surfline.com/surf-news/research-reveals-large-reef-system-concealed-under-runoff-from-worlds-largest-river-ocean-oddities-unknown-cor_138332/
[5] Modis - NASA https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/apr/22/huge-coral-reef-discovered-at-amazon-river-mouth
[6] Julien Gomba https://www.flickr.com/photos/jgomba/2076767788
[1] Collette, B. B., & Klaus, R. (1977). Reef Fishes Over Sponge Bottoms Off the Mouth of the Amazon River. 1-6.
[2] Coral Reef Alliance. What Do Coral Reefs Need to Survive? (n.d.). Retrieved November 20, 2016. http://coral.org/coral-reefs-101/coral-reef-ecology/what-do-coral-reefs-need-to-survive/
[3] Kuffner, I. B., & Toth, L. T. (2016). A geological perspective on the degradation and conservation of western Atlantic coral reefs. Conservation Biology. 30(4), 706-715.
[4] Meyer, R. (2016). Scientists Have Discovered a 600-Mile Coral Reef. The Atlantic. Retrieved November 20, 2016. http://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2016/04/scientists-discover-a-new-coral-reef-at-the-amazons-mouth/479259/
[5] Moura et al. (2016). An extensive reef system at the Amazon River mouth. Science Advances. 4:1-11.
[6] Wear, S. L. (2016). Missing the boat: Critical threats to coral reefs are neglected at global scale. Marine Policy, 74153-157.
[7] Welch, C. (2016). Surprising, Vibrant Reef Discovered in the Muddy Amazon. National Geographic. Retrieved November 20, 2016. http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/04/220416-Amazon-coral-reef-Brazil-ocean-river-fish/
Picture Credits:
[1] Global Water Forum https://www.flickr.com/photos/globalwaterforum/7845894330
[2] Lance Willis/UGA http://www.cnn.com/2016/04/23/world/amazon-river-coral-reef-irpt/
[3] NASA https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/speaking-of-science/wp/2016/04/25/scientists-find-a-massive-coral-reef-just-chilling-in-the-amazon/
[4] Carlos Rezende (UENF), Fabiano Thompson (UFRJ)/NPR and F. Moraes http://www.surfline.com/surf-news/research-reveals-large-reef-system-concealed-under-runoff-from-worlds-largest-river-ocean-oddities-unknown-cor_138332/
[5] Modis - NASA https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/apr/22/huge-coral-reef-discovered-at-amazon-river-mouth
[6] Julien Gomba https://www.flickr.com/photos/jgomba/2076767788