Reef Atlas Project Set To Determine Location Of South African Reefs
By Matt J. Weiss, October 20, 2008 @ 02:00 AM (EST)
Coral reefs are not what you think of when South Africa comes up. South African wildlife is dominated by the land animals. Even South African diving you think of sea lions, great whites and the sardine run. However, people would be surprised to know that South Africa has reef system.
An interesting area for coral reefs, where subtropical and cold water corals grow together on a single coast line, and many endemic species are found. It makes for some beautiful reefs. However, like reefs around the world, they are in trouble from climate change and ocean acidification. However, to help the reefs, they must be found. With little research on South Africa's reefs due to other more charismatic areas of study researchers are unsure where the reefs are.
Enter the South African Coral Reef Atlas Program, set to determine where the reefs are and digitally map them. The reefs are of other value rather than aesthetics, such as nurseries and buffers from oceanographic processes.
An interesting area for coral reefs, where subtropical and cold water corals grow together on a single coast line, and many endemic species are found. It makes for some beautiful reefs. However, like reefs around the world, they are in trouble from climate change and ocean acidification. However, to help the reefs, they must be found. With little research on South Africa's reefs due to other more charismatic areas of study researchers are unsure where the reefs are.
Enter the South African Coral Reef Atlas Program, set to determine where the reefs are and digitally map them. The reefs are of other value rather than aesthetics, such as nurseries and buffers from oceanographic processes.
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