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A dark conference on the future of coral reefs has changed the future of Alexis Rosenfeld and Alexie Valois. The 2016 conference, focused on the need for ecological restoration of corals, was so deep that it prompted Mr. Rosenfeld, an experienced underwater photographer, and Ms. Valois, a journalist in France, to spend the next two years exploring the issues facing these species. marine colonies.
Reefs are diverse ecosystems formed by calcium secretions from coral clusters. These vast structures provide shelter and food for a wide variety of species, including crustaceans and fish molluscs. "The main idea is to discover incredible biodiversity and show that it is threatened," Rosenfeld said by email. "It is also to present all the services provided by the reefs in terms of coastal protection, food resources, nursery for a large part of the marine species."
The ensuing project, "Coral Reefs, a Challenge for Humanity" photographed by Dr. Rosenfeld and reported by Ms. Valois, examines the state of many coral ecosystems around the world, as well as the circumstances – climate change, oil spills, overfishing – that contribute to their decline.
This is Exhibited in front of the Unesco headquarters in Paris until August 30, as part of the International Year of the Reefs a recurring campaign of awareness and support for these endangered colonies.
million. Rosenfeld said, is particularly aimed at informing younger generations before these ocean populations are changed beyond recognition, and features pictures and reports by Mr. Rosenfeld and Ms. Valois, as well as immersive media such as ph 360 degrees otos by the Ocean Agency and 3D Coral Models by the Scripps Institute of Oceanography at the University of California, San Diego. Because of human interference, there is a coral mortality crisis, and about half of the shallow water reefs on the planet are dead.
"The changes are particularly visible in the Maldives," said Mr. Rosenfeld, who worked there in 1990 and 2000 . "The Maldives were like a lush and unique coral garden, one of the most beautiful in the world.When I came back in 2017, a year after the bleaching episode, the landscapes had completely changed." [19659010] The photographs are as striking as they are disturbing in showing the problems faced by the various coral ecosystems. Mr. Rosenfeld's photographs of the Mayotte lagoon of the Comoros archipelago in the Indian Ocean reveal dead coral patches amidst relatively healthy reefs. In the seabed of St. Martin, the damage caused by Hurricane Irma in 2017 is still visible in the broken coral fronds and in the wrecks of damaged ships. And everywhere, from the Maldives to the Red Sea of Egypt, the majesty of these organisms and their destruction contrast with the efforts to save them.
Some photos also show the fin inhabitants of this world, still vibrant in their disappearing habitat, and evoking the colossal entrainment effect on marine life that stems from the global threat to coral reefs .
different areas to explore ", .
"Some species are disappearing, but some more resistant species will remain," said Valois. "You have to be very careful and watch."
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