Tahiti Pristine Coral reef

A coral reef has recently been discovered by scientists along the coast of Tahiti. This reef is two miles long and is unaffected by anthropogenic activities and climate change. This coral reef has been discovered during a dive expedition. This campaign was supported by UNESCO. Tahiti is the largest island in French Polynesia. It is located in the central Pacific Ocean. Tahiti was formed due to volcanic activities. Coral reefs were discovered at depths of 100 feet to 210 feet. This coral reef is in the mesophotic zone, which is the deepest zone where sunlight can penetrate. To this depth, corals are protected from human activities. Coral reefs or coral reefs are made up of calcium carbonate released by coral living within the ocean. Corals are lime-based organisms (Cylantrata polyps) with a hard structure. Inside the hard surface of these corals are found the colorful algae Zooxanthellae in a symbiotic relationship. Coral reefs are considered to be the hotspots of ocean biodiversity of the world and are also called marine rainforests. Most of the world’s corals are found in the Indo-Pacific region, which is found up to 30 degrees of the equator. About 30% of the total coral found in the world is found in the South-East Asia region. Here coral is found from the southern Philippines to eastern Indonesia and western New Guinea.

Not affected by Coral Bleaching

• In 2019, the entire French Coral Polynesia was affected by coral bleaching. The coral bleaching occurred due to climate change and global warming. However, this new coral reef was not affected by the 2019 coral bleaching. This is mainly due to its depth.

What is coral bleaching?

• The corals are marine invertebrates. They hold microscopic algae are zooxanthellae. The algae provides food for the corals and the corals provide accommodation to the algae.
• They are symbiotic. Due to global warming and increase in sea temperature, the corals find it difficult to hold the algae. They release them.
• The corals get their colours from these algae. When the algae is released they become colourless. This is called coral bleaching. With this, the corals die as they do not get food.

Tahiti

• Tahiti is the largest island in French Polynesia. It is located in the central Pacific Ocean.
• Tahiti was formed by volcanic activity. The island accounts to around 70% of the population of French Polynesia.