ReefCycle’s Post

The Nippon Foundation-GEBCO Seabed 2030 Project has increased its ocean floor map with 4.34 million square kilometres of new data – or an area the size of the European Union. This latest figure of 26.1% mapped is the latest in the global effort to uncover Earth’s final frontier – discoveries that are essential for realizing sustainable ocean management. “Seabed mapping has proven to be a powerful tool in advancing our knowledge of marine ecosystems and biodiversity, and the impressive discoveries made this year alone highlight the critical importance of our mission,” said Jamie McMichael-Phillips MIOD FCMI FIMarEST, director, Seabed 360. “Commendable progress has been made since Seabed 2030’s inception in 2017, with over 94 million square kilometres of bathymetric data acquired through global partnerships, data mobilisation, and advancements in technological innovation, but much of the ocean still remains a mystery.” Pioneering discoveries In the past year alone, ocean research has led to the characterization of the largest known deep-sea coral reef habitat off the southeast U.S. coast spanning over 6.4 million acres on the Blake Plateau. The multi-year campaign to map and explore this region was led by Seabed 2030 partner National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Ocean Exploration, in collaboration with a host of other government, academic and private sector collaborators. Read the full story on Maritime Journal; https://lnkd.in/et-V-QrY

This is as formidably, forward-thinking as other “ambitious, long-term, multi-year, mega projects” in mankind’s history. What immediately comes to mind are colossal feats such as the Panama Canal, the Great Wall of China (and its progeny, the original Spice Road v. now upgraded Spice & Belt Road), the Eurotunnel, the vast & gigantic levees/dikes & windmills in The Netherlands, the impressive bridge network crisscrossing/linking Scandinavia and, of course, the US-led technological space race. They’re obviously others, including realising M. Jules Verne’s (ca. 18th/19th c.) dream of a voyage to the bottom of the sea. This particular proposed project is more than just “mega” in scale, promise, ambition or enterprise. It is, because it puts, at times, arcane & nebulous notions like “sustainability”, “greenness” & the like on an entirely different level & scale. Imagine what the prospects for humankind & planet Earth would be if deserts like The Sinai - et al. - in the proposal below became habitable, arable, etc. If realisable, indeed & in fact, then this could no doubt change everything: it could be “restoration on a planetary scale”, as was/is quipped in the article below: just imagine.

Adapting to change is a hallmark of resilience 🌿 A recent study reveals that an island in the Indonesian Spermonde Archipelago has managed to thrive despite the surrounding stressed coral reefs. By dynamically responding to environmental shifts, it continues to grow, showcasing the incredible adaptability of reef islands. This development underscores the importance of innovative solutions in our fight against climate change. Algae, often overlooked, play a pivotal role in this natural adaptation. Their potential in sustainable cultivation and ecological balance cannot be overstated. As we explore sustainable practices at Nutrialgo, this study serves as a powerful reminder: nature often holds the key to its own survival and can inspire our own approaches to sustainability. Read more about this fascinating study here: [Link to the article] Check this out: https://lnkd.in/esCikCDY

How humans have changed the Earth's surface in 2023 From new artificial islands to the environmental devastation caused by the breach of Ukraine's Kakhovka Dam – this is how humanity has changed the face of our planet throughout the past year. There are few places on the Earth where humans have not left a mark of some kind. An estimated 95% of our planet's landmass (excluding Antarctica) now show some signs of human activity. About 16% of that land has been heavily modified. Urban development, large-scale engineering works and mining projects are reshaping entire landscapes, while deforestation and agriculture are altering entire ecosystems. Pollution produced by humans can be found in almost every corner of our planet. Earth's reshaping continued apace during 2023 – for better and for worse. Here the BBC review some of the most dramatic ways our species has changed the planet's surface last year. https://lnkd.in/e9m_HAkt

Earth Last Frontier for Sustainable Economic Development The ocean covers over 70% of our planet, yet its depths remain one of Earth's last unexplored frontiers. The seabed, with its vast resources and unique ecosystems, holds immense potential for economic development. However, unlike the often intense and less careful exploitation of terrestrial resources, the utilization of oceanic and seabed resources must adhere to stringent environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles to ensure sustainability and the preservation of marine ecosystems. Mapping the ocean floor is the first critical step in harnessing the seabed's potential. Detailed mapping provides crucial information about the topography, geological structures, and the distribution of resources such as minerals, hydrocarbons, and rare earth elements. The United Nations' Seabed 2030 project aims to map the entire ocean floor by 2030, which will significantly enhance our understanding of these underwater terrains. Accurate seabed maps will help identify potential sites for resource extraction, underwater cables, and other infrastructure projects. They also play a crucial role in environmental monitoring, helping to protect vulnerable ecosystems by identifying areas of ecological significance that need conservation. A balanced approach will ensure that the ocean remains a wonderful and viable resource for future generations, fostering sustainable economic in harmony with the natural world. SEABED2030 New marine discoveries underscore importance of ocean floor mapping as Seabed 2030 announces latest progress on World Hydrography Day. https://lnkd.in/dHtgasu6 #sustainability #oceans #oceanresources #seabed #economy #ESG #ecosystems #development #wisdom

Corals may seem plant-like due to their stationary nature and their intricate, branching structures, but they are actually animals. Specifically, corals belong to the phylum Cnidaria, making them close relatives of jellyfish and sea anemones. Anatomy and Function: Polyps: Each coral is composed of tiny, individual animals called polyps. These polyps are sac-like structures with a central mouth surrounded by tentacles. The tentacles are equipped with specialized cells called cnidocytes, which contain stinging organelles (nematocysts) used for capturing prey and defense. Symbiosis: Corals have a symbiotic relationship with photosynthetic algae known as zooxanthellae, which live within their tissues. The algae provide the corals with nutrients through photosynthesis, while the corals offer the algae a protected environment and access to sunlight. Growth and Formation: Calcium Carbonate Skeletons: Corals build their structures by secreting calcium carbonate, forming hard skeletons that provide a foundation for reef development. These skeletons accumulate over time, creating vast reef systems that can span thousands of kilometers. Reef Ecosystems: Coral reefs are some of the most diverse ecosystems on the planet, supporting a wide variety of marine life. They provide essential habitat and protection for many species, contributing to the biodiversity and productivity of the oceans. Geological Significance: Fossil Record: Coral fossils offer valuable information about past marine environments and climatic conditions. By studying fossilized corals, geologists can reconstruct historical ocean temperatures, sea levels, and the biodiversity of ancient reef ecosystems. Carbonate Platforms: Coral reefs contribute to the formation of carbonate platforms, which are significant geological features. These platforms can become important hydrocarbon reservoirs, making coral reefs relevant to both paleoclimatology and the energy industry. Conservation and Challenges: Environmental Threats: Coral reefs are under threat from climate change, ocean acidification, pollution, and destructive fishing practices. Rising sea temperatures can cause coral bleaching, where corals expel their symbiotic algae, leading to decreased energy intake and potential mortality. Conservation Efforts: Protecting and preserving coral reefs is crucial for maintaining marine biodiversity and the ecological services they provide. Conservation efforts include establishing marine protected areas, promoting sustainable fishing practices, and reducing carbon emissions to mitigate climate change impacts. Corals are remarkable animals with a profound impact on marine ecosystems and geological processes. Understanding their biology and ecological roles helps us appreciate their importance and the need to protect these vital marine habitats. #datacode #geologicalprocesses #geologicalhistory #EarthScience #corals #animals #geologicalinsights #earth

🗞️ It’s encouraging to see publications like The Conversation UK dive into the importance of enhanced science to protect the seabed. The sea floor stores significant carbon reserves that hold great potential in growing our blue economy. 🗺️ But we can’t truly leverage ocean-based solutions like blue carbon if we don’t fully understand what lies beneath, which is why seabed mapping is so crucial. Read more 👉 https://lnkd.in/gHwJ4mWW #SeabedMapping #BlueEconomy #HydroSpatial

Mapping the Ocean Data market landscape exposes me to amazing projects that are part of this immense data ecosystem. Here is one worth sharing :) #innovation #productmanagement #DataEcosystem #OceanData #impact

#Earth #HumanFamily #Ecosystem We are one advanced species living on one nurturing planet, consited of many different ecological systems and cultures. United, the human family can still win the race between Self-destruction and Self-understanding. We are living through one of the most important times in the history of civilization. We have the brains, manpower, knowledge, skills, resources, technology and the still supporting ecological systems to ensure the survivability of our civilization and our species into the far future. Earth as a planet is the largest ecological system known to us so far, it hosts many smaller ecosystems that interact with each other in a planetary environment, each one of those hosts a community of living and nonliving things that interact with one another in regional environments. The community includes all living organisms (plants, animals, fungi, microorganisms) and their physical surroundings (air, water, soil, light). In an ecosystem, living organisms depend on one another and on nonliving components for survival. For example, plants depend on the sun for energy and on the soil for nutrients, while animals depend on plants and other animals for food etc. The stability and health of the ecosystems is maintained by the balance of the following interactions:  +Energy flow: The transfer of energy from the sun to plants (photosynthesis) and then to other living organisms through food chaines; +Water cycling: The water evaporates from the surface of the earth, rises into the atmosphere, cools and condenses into rain or snow in clouds, and falls again to the surface as precipitation to hydrate all living organisms. +Nutrient cycling: The movement of nutrients, such as carbon, iron, nitrogen, and phosphorus through the ecosystem; +Population dynamics: The interactions between different populations of living organisms including human beings, such as competition, cooperation, predation, and symbiosis; +Succession: The gradual or rapid changes that occur in an ecosystem, resulting in the development of a stable-mature ecosystem or in unstable-degenerated one. Ecosystems provide a wide range of services for humankind, including air and water purification, weather regulation, crop pollination and parasite control etc. The loss of biodiversity, desertification, micro & macro climate changes and the degradation of ecosystems can lead to the loss of these services and have negative impacts on human health and survivability. Therefore, the preservation of ecosystems and biodiversity are VITAL for maintaining the essential ecological services that support our lifes and that of future generations. 

Unearthing mankind's profound impact on mud and carbon cycling - Virginia Institute of Marine Science: Most people avoid mud, but not a global team of scientists who recently detailed humans’ immense impact on this often-overlooked, carbon-rich aggregate. According to their study, featured on the cover of Nature Geoscience, humans have significantly altered the movement of mud across the landscape and in the oceans, causing yet-to-be quantified impacts on the storage and cycling of organic carbon. https://lnkd.in/e4sT6k9r