The tropical lagoons and coral reefs of New Caledonia are an outstanding example of high diversity coral reef ecosystems and form one of the three most extensive reef systems in the world.
Does New Caledonia have coral reefs?
A French territory located 1,200 kilometers (746 miles) east of Australia, New Caledonia is internationally renowned for its natural beauty, rich biodiversity and remarkable coral reefs .
How many species of coral are in New Caledonia?
Unique coral reefs
New Caledonia has the world's second-largest barrier reef and a remarkable diversity of coral reefs. More than 400 coral species have been identified to date.
Is the New Caledonia Barrier Reef healthy?
The territory's coral reefs and surrounding tropical lagoons form one of the healthiest , most extensive reef systems in the world and support a vast array of wildlife.
How big is the New Caledonian reef?
At 24,000 km2 in size , New Caledonia's vast lagoon is one of the largest marine reserves in the world.
Where is the best coral reef in the world?
- Great Barrier Reef – Australia. Natural Feature. ...
- New Caledonia Barrier Reef – New Caledonia. ...
- Red Sea Coral Reef – Red Sea. ...
- Rainbow Reef – Fiji. ...
- Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park. ...
- Raja Ampat – Indonesia. ...
- Palancar Reef – Cozumel, Mexico. ...
- Great Chagos Archipelago – Indian Ocean.
What caused the death of the coral reefs in New Caledonia?
A number of factors—from water pollution to disease —can irritate corals, causing them to expel the colored algae known as zooxanthellae that they live with symbiotically. ... The corals in the New Caledonia Barrier Reef have been lucky by most measures—a drop in local temperatures has allowed many of them to recover.
Which is the largest lagoon in world?
The New Caledonia lagoon
The archipelago of New Caledonia, located in the heart of the South Pacific Ocean, was discovered in the 18th century by James Cook, the Scottish navigator. It has the largest lagoon in the world. It is registered since 2008 on the World Heritage list of Unesco.
How many years will the oceans become too warm for coral reefs to survive?
I did this some years ago and came up with the answer that most oceans get too hot for their corals on a yearly basis by 2040-2050 .
What destroys the Great Barrier Reef?
THE GREAT BARRIER REEF IS ON THE BRINK OF DESTRUCTION
In 2016, warming oceans caused the worst coral bleaching event in history on the Great Barrier Reef and almost a quarter of the Reef's coral died.
What phenomenon is happening to the coral in New Caledonia?
Marine biologists are crossing their fingers after New Caledonia's coral reef, a UN-inscribed natural wonder of the world, was hit by bleaching this year. Bleaching—when corals turn pale after tropical seas dramatically warm—has been the prelude to a catastrophic die-out in many parts of the world.
Which is the world's longest continuous barrier?
The New Caledonian barrier reef is located in New Caledonia in the South Pacific, and is the longest continuous barrier reef in the world and the third largest after the Great Barrier Reef of Australia and the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef.
What is being done to protect New Caledonia?
Earlier this week, on August 14, the government of New Caledonia voted to protect 100% of their reefs by establishing four Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) that cover 28,000 square kilometers and extend to remote areas that serve as havens for seabirds, sea turtles, and humpback whales.
What are some of the knock on effects of coral dying?
If the coral reefs die, the knock on effect for ocean life and the ecosystem is catastrophic. ... The amount of carbon dioxide produced by human activity also contributes greatly to death of coral by increasing the acidification of the oceans.
What is the official language of New Caledonia?
French is the official language in common use in New Caledonia, with a number of colourful local expressions you'll come across during your stay! The Kanak languages are also widely spoken throughout the country.
Where is the Florida coral reef?
The Florida Reef System (FRS) is the largest coral reef ecosystem in the continental US, with its extensive shallow coral reefs that span 358 miles from the Dry Tortugas near Key West, north along the Atlantic coast to Martin County .
