. 24/7 Space News .
WATER WORLD
Race to save Cyprus corals from climate change, mass tourism
By Emily IRVING-SWIFT
Ayia Napa, Cyprus (AFP) April 20, 2021

stock image only

Many people think Cyprus has no corals, says marine ecologist Louis Hadjiannou. If climate change and coastal development continue unabated, he fears, they may soon be right.

A fisherman's son who hails from the Mediterranean island, Hadjiannou loves to put on his wetsuit, fins and mask and plunge off the dramatic rocks into the turquoise waters to delve into the fragile underwater world.

"It's always an exploration," enthuses the 38-year-old researcher, looking over the crystal clear waters of Glyko Nero near the resort of Ayia Napa on the island's southeastern coast.

"Even if you jump in at the same spot a million times, every single time you see something new, something exciting, as long as you have the open mind to look at things in the right way."

When most people think of corals, they may imagine the colourful and species-rich Red Sea reefs off Egypt, rather than the less technicolour Mediterranean underwater habitats.

"When I talk about the corals of Cyprus, most people say: 'We have corals in Cyprus?'" smiles Hadjiannou, who works with the Cyprus Marine and Maritime Institute.

"Yes, it is true: We do have corals -- and we are still discovering new species ... They are so emblematic, they are so important, they support biodiversity. But at the same time they are so sensitive to changes in the environment."

- Next generation -

Coral reefs are among the planet's richest ecosystems, and are sometimes dubbed the rainforests of the oceans, providing shelter for countless species of fish, turtles and other marine life.

But even as Cyprus' marine ecosystems are still being studied, Hadjiannou says, they are under extreme threat from climate change as well as mass tourism, the building of new hotels and marinas, and agricultural run-off.

For the past decade, Hadjiannou has been monitoring the corals and studying how sea temperature changes impact their health.

"Whenever there is an anomalous year, a higher temperature than normal, we notice a high percentage of corals are dying," he told AFP.

A rise of about one degree Celsius in 2015 killed off 20 to 30 percent of corals, he said, adding that "some of them came back and recovered, but many did not".

"Even the slightest increase in temperature... can seriously affect them, and I think the forecast shows it is going to be much more within the next 30, 40 years."

While combating climate change requires a global effort, many things can be done locally, Hadjiannou said.

He urged a more sustainable kind of coastal development and the establishment of new and larger protected areas with bans on harmful practices such as swimmers stepping on corals or throwing boat anchors.

The other priority, says Hadjiannou, who became a father last month, is educating children.

"They are the future," he said. "They are the ones who are going to become the future conservationists, the future government, the future users of this island."


Related Links
Water News - Science, Technology and Politics


Thanks for being there;
We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain.

With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords.

Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year.

If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter
$5+ Billed Monthly


paypal only
SpaceDaily Contributor
$5 Billed Once


credit card or paypal


WATER WORLD
Vice Adm. Linda Fagan nominated as U.S. Coast Guard vice commandant
Washington DC (UPI) Apr 19, 2021
Vice Adm. Linda L. Fagan was nominated as the next Vice Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, the Department of Homeland Security announced on Monday. The nomination by President Joe Biden, pending approval by the U.S. Senate, would make Fagan the Coast Guard's first female four-star admiral, the branch said in a press release. She would replace Adm. Charles W. Ray in the position on June 18. In a statement on Monday, DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas called Fagan "a superb leader wh ... read more

Comment using your Disqus, Facebook, Google or Twitter login.



Share this article via these popular social media networks
del.icio.usdel.icio.us DiggDigg RedditReddit GoogleGoogle

WATER WORLD
How Scientists are using the ISS to study Earth's climate

Astronauts' mental health risks tested in the Antarctic

Crew-2 set for ISS Mission to conduct microgravity science

Science without gravity at the International Space Station

WATER WORLD
SpaceX in orbit on route to ISS

Arianespace to serve OneWeb's ambitions with 36 more satellites to be launched

American Pacific invests in Frontier Aerospace

SpaceX set to take four astronauts to ISS Thursday

WATER WORLD
NASA's Mars helicopter Ingenuity completes third successful flight

Space physicist explains why a helicopter flew on Mars is a big deal

China to announce name of its first Mars rover

Open Source on Mars: Community powers NASA's Ingenuity Helicopter

WATER WORLD
China's space-tracking ship departs on new mission in Pacific

China Orbiting 400 Satellites, Heading for 1,000 by 2030, US Space Command Chief Says

Chinese rocket for space station mission arrives at launch site

Ningbo to build $3.05b rocket launchpad site

WATER WORLD
Jeff Bezos' Amazon signs rocket deal to launch network to rival SpaceX

China to develop aerospace as strategic emerging industry

India's telecom regulator assessing Starlink system before accepting beta

US space employment, investments resist pandemic in 2020, continue to climb in 2021

WATER WORLD
"Molecular Tomographer" algorithm maps gene expression in space

US-British firm to build 3.5 bn euro data centre in Portugal

Marine animals inspire new approaches to structural topology optimization

Google unveils $2bn data hub in Poland

WATER WORLD
As different as day and night

Researchers identify five double star systems potentially suitable for life

Baked meteorites yield clues to planetary atmospheres

Scientists may detect signs of extraterrestrial life in the next 5 to 10 years

WATER WORLD
New Horizons reaches a rare space milestone

New research reveals secret to Jupiter's curious aurora activity

NASA's Europa Clipper builds hardware, moves toward assembly

First X-rays from Uranus Discovered









The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.