Under the blue waters of the South Pacific Ocean, scientists discovered a whole new world. The Solomon Islands are known to be one of the richest spots for diversity of coral in the ocean, with over 490 species so far. And now, it is known to be the home to the largest coral reef discovered in the ocean. The reef is a maze of coral polyps that spans over a 183 meter perimeter, and is around 300 years old. The coral is healthy with dots of color, and it provides shelter for many different species including fish and shrimp.
A researcher for the Pristine Seas program, Enric Sala, was inspired by the team's discovery and said,“just when we think there is nothing left to discover on planet earth, we find a massive coral made of nearly one billion little polyps, pulsing with life and color.” Although this incredible breakthrough is exciting for the scientific world, it also highlights the need for conservation efforts more than ever. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, only 5% of the ocean has been explored, which makes new discoveries like the coral reef important because it shows people how valuable our oceans are and why they need to be protected. As scientists discover new reefs, it is made more clear how vital they are for the health of our oceans, through the biodiversity, coastal protection, and carbon cycling they provide.
The new reef contains species of coral that create the perfect little “caves” for hundreds of species of fish, shrimp, crabs, and other ocean animals to have shelter. The reef itself is incredibly diverse, with hundreds of species of coral polyps, which are living organisms that have survived many environmental struggles, from fluctuating temperatures, pollution, and storm damage. They also have a high reproductive rate ,giving scientists the hope that the discovery of coral polyps could mean the recovery of so many other reefs.
The first person to see the incredible reef was Manu San Félix, and he showcased the incredible resilience of coral by saying how “illustrious figures of humanity have coexisted with this colony: Newton, Darwin, Curie, Gandhi, Einstein... and it has survived them.”
Not only is coral important to the health of our Earth because of the rich biodiversity it provides, but it also aids in the oceans ability to perform carbon sequestration. Only 8.4% has been protected so far. Studies have shown that in order for the ocean to continue absorbing our carbon pollution to the same degree, at least 30% needs to be protected. This is further proof that coral reefs need to be protected, especially now that scientists have discovered that the world's largest reef is healthy because it provides hope for the future. Now more than ever, as climate change becomes more pressing and we need carbon sequestration to a greater degree, it is all the more important that these coral reefs stay protected.
Coral reefs are not only important to the ocean and Earth’s health, they are also
key parts of the lives and cultures of Pacific Islanders. Jeremiah Manele, the Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands, spoke on the importance of coral and their livelihoods and said that “the ocean provides for our livelihoods and has contributed so much to our national economy and communities…Our survival depends on healthy coral reefs, so this exciting discovery underlines the importance of protecting and sustaining them for future generations.” The coral provides shoreline protection during storms, jobs through the fishing industry, and money from tourism. Communities like these are yet another reason that conservation of these reefs are so important.. These people rely on the reef for their ways of life,so it is imperative we listen to the communities who are affected most. It is important that we shift the conversation of conservation to the voices of those that are affected most, because hurting the coral reefs is hurting these communities as well
The discovery of the new largest coral reef in the world means so much to the people that discovered it, the people of the Solomon Islands, and it should mean so much to the rest of the world as well. It is a shining light of hope in the endless fight for conservation. Since coral reefs are so important to our climate's health, and to the livelihoods of so many people trying to save them, it is vitally important that they are protected.
Blurb: Under the blue waters of the South Pacific Ocean, scientists discovered a whole new world. The Solomon Islands are known to be one of the richest spots for diversity of coral in the ocean, and this new discovery is incredible. Now that scientists have discovered that the world's largest reef is healthy because it provides hope for the future because it highlights how vital these reefs are to the climate, and therefore how important it is to protect them.
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