To Save Coral Reefs, First Save the Mangroves

On the 30th December, just before the start of the new year aired the first episode in a new David Attenborough series on The Great Barrier reef. I watched this from home with my parents expecting to hear similar things to what I have been sharing on this blog and been learning about this past year or so, including from my studies in Los Angeles. I write this post because there was something very significant I learnt whilst engrossed in this documentary. At no point have I been aware of the importance of mangroves and how they provide refuge for many of the coral reef fish species whilst they are learning to adapt to their conditions, avoid predators and the adverse effects of climate change.

This led me to doing a little more investigating around the area, and it turns out that understanding of the significance of mangroves has only been a relatively recent thing. In fact, I was led to an article published in 2014 which appeared to first academic draw attention to the link, emanating from the discovery of Caroline Rogers of the USGS in Hurricane Hole, U.S. Virgin Islands where she discovered more than 30 species growing among the mangrove roots (4 of these threatened!). The article acknowledges mangroves as a novel natural refuge from climate change and points to the importance of mangroves as a conservation technique, especially relevant after various academics (see previous post) have found MPA's (Marine Protected Areas) ineffective. The article studied two major reef building corals (Colpopphyllia natans and Diplopia labyrinthiformis) that were growing in mangrove shaded and exposed (unshaded) areas noting the differences between them. The results found that C. Natans preferred living in areas shaded by mangroves and none of its colonies were bleached, whereas the exposed had been bleached. D. labyrinthiformis preferred unshaded areas, but bleached more significantly because of this, pointing to the significance of mangroves as a refuge for coral species adapting to climate change based on evidence from this particular location of study. This will definitely be an interesting aspect to monitor as we begin to understand more about the symbiotic relationship between corals, fish and the mangrove roots.

Also just to add, I would recommend readers watch the first episode of the new David Attenborough and take a look at the second episode which is due to air tomorrow. The programme uses a submersible to capture recording of activity at night, which is now technologically possible, and ecologically extremely interesting. Furthermore the programme aims to look at the most pristine areas of the Great Barrier Reef. So, for a good insight into the beauty of Coral Reefs, their significance, relevance to indigenous cultures and for the threats posed to them, I recommend readers give the episodes a watch. I will certainly be paying attention to any new things I can learn, and if there is more discussion on the threats to coral reef fish species.