The coral reefs, an ecosystem at risk
While coral reefs are home to the world’s greatest marine biodiversity, they are now threatened by climate change and human activity. The fishing and the tourism industries, coastal protection…Today, more than 500 million people rely on the services that they provide. In 2016, 93% of the Great Barrier Reef suffered from bleaching and approximately 80% of the coral in Kiribati, Samoa, Fiji and Tonga was already dead. In 2017, the same Pacific reefs are bleaching again: it is the first time in history that two worldwide events of this kind have occurred in two consecutive years.
©Thiault
An initiative to raise the alert on the future of this ecosystem
Due to the lack of information and the complexity of this phenomenon, the impact of bleaching on the functioning of the ecosystem remains unknown.For the first time, a large-scale international study, “REEF SERVICES” will be carried out by a team of researchers based in France (Université de Montpellier, IRD, Ecole des Hautes Etudes in Perpignan, CNRS, Université de Perpignan), the United Kingdom (University of Lancaster – Lancaster Environment Centre), the United States (SymbioSeas in Wilmington, Smithsonian Institution in Washington) and Australia (James Cook University – ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies in Townsville), conducted by Valeriano Parravicini from l’École Pratique des Hautes Etudes (EPHE) at CRIOBE with the support of the BNP Paribas Foundation.
Launched early October in Moorea for a period of three years, the purpose of the « REEF SERVICES » study is to measure and predict the consequences of global warming on the coral reefs and the services they provide.
Raising awareness on climate change among as many people as possible.
The exceptional participation of two committed Youtubers
For the launch of REEF SERVICES, the BNP Paribas Foundation has invited two popular Youtubers, Dr. Nozman (France’s leading scientific Youtuber) and Sally Le Page (a British biologist and Youtube humorist), as well as the String Theory channel, to make videos on this environmental issue. Raising awareness on climate change among as many people as possible, that is challenge that they are willing to take.From the 6th to the 13th October, they have been invited to join the study’s scientists in Tahiti and Moorea to give day-by-day coverage as the project is set up and research begins. Follow their official accounts for a daily sneak preview!
