SWAINS REEF, Australia: Una vista subacquea delle formazioni coralline nelle acque poco profonde di Swains Reef, parte del sistema della grande Barriera Corallina al largo della costa del Queensland, Australia. Le strutture piane e circolari dei coralli a placca creano un paesaggio sottomarino unico in questo ecosistema marino diversificato.
4930 x 3265 px | 41,7 x 27,6 cm | 16,4 x 10,9 inches | 300dpi
Data acquisizione:
22 ottobre 2011
Ubicazione:
Swains Reef, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, Australia
Altre informazioni:
Photograph by David Coleman. This underwater image captures the distinctive beauty of plate coral formations in the clear, shallow waters of Swains Reef, a remote part of the Great Barrier Reef located approximately 200 kilometers off the coast of Queensland, Australia. Plate corals, also known as table corals or disc corals, are characterized by their flat, circular growth pattern, often resembling stacked plates or discs. Swains Reef, situated at the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef, is part of the world's largest coral reef system, stretching over 2, 300 kilometers (1, 400 miles) along Australia's northeastern coast. This area is renowned for its biodiversity and is a critical habitat for numerous marine species. The plate corals visible in the image belong to the genus Acropora, one of the most common and diverse coral genera in the Indo-Pacific region. These corals play a crucial role in reef ecosystems, providing shelter and feeding grounds for a variety of fish and invertebrates. Their unique shape allows them to capture sunlight efficiently, supporting the symbiotic algae (zooxanthellae) that live within their tissues and provide them with essential nutrients. The shallow waters where these corals are found are typical of many parts of the Great Barrier Reef, allowing ample sunlight to penetrate and support coral growth. However, this proximity to the surface also makes these corals particularly vulnerable to environmental stressors such as increased water temperatures, which can lead to coral bleaching events. As part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and a UNESCO World Heritage site, Swains Reef and its coral formations are subject to ongoing conservation efforts. These aim to protect the reef's biodiversity and resilience in the face of climate change and other anthropogenic pressures. The image serves not only as a testament to the reef's beauty but also as a reminder of the delicate balance required to maintain these complex marine ecosystems fo
