When you think of a coral, what comes to mind? Is coral flora or fauna?
If you think animal, you are right!
It would be easy to think corals are plants or flower-like organism but, actually, they are a colony of marine invertebrates.Each individual animal is called a coral polyp, and a coral colony can contain hundreds to hundreds of thousands of polyps. Over long periods, colonies of reef-building corals can contribute to the formation of large coral reef structures. In hard corals, the polyps are connected by living tissue and build a shared calcium carbonate skeleton that provides structural support for the colony. Coral reefs are then formed by many of these colonies living together.
Corals belong to the phylum Cnidaria, which also includes jellyfish and sea anemones. Cnidarians generally have tentacles and a digestive cavity with a single opening that functions as the mouth and serves as the exit for waste. Corals can capture zooplankton and other small organisms with their tentacles, while many reef-building corals also receive a significant proportion of their energy from symbiotic algae. In addition, Most reef-building corals live in a symbiotic relationship with microscopic algae, commonly known as zooxanthellae, which provide energy through photosynthesis.
Corals are commonly divided into two broad groups: hard, or stony, corals and soft corals.
Hard corals are fundamental as they are the building blocks of coral reefs. Their stony skeletons made of calcium carbonate gives them their strength and solid constitution. Over long periods, the calcium carbonate skeletons produced by hard corals accumulate and contribute to the growth of extensive reef structures. Some species of hard corals are brain corals, stag horn corals, and branch corals.
In contrast, soft corals are flexible and plant-like looking. A major difference is that Soft corals do not produce a rigid external calcium carbonate skeleton like hard corals. Instead, many have flexible internal structures made primarily from proteins and microscopic calcium carbonate structures called sclerites. which means that, instead of stony skeletons, they have cores resembling branches which provides them with stability. Also, Not all soft corals contain photosynthetic symbiotic algae, and species without these symbionts rely more heavily on capturing plankton and other organic food from the surrounding water.
If you have seen corals before I’m sure you have noticed how colourful they can be. The colours found in coral reefs range from golden and brownish tones to more vivid shades such as blue, green, pink, orange and red; which makes them one of the most colourful natural wonders in the world. That being said, have you ever stopped to think how they get those dazzling colours? Let's first explain a bit more of coral anatomy. Coral polyps are generally translucent, while the exposed calcium carbonate skeleton beneath them is typically white. Much of the colour seen in living corals comes from their symbiotic algae and the coral's own pigments. The algae living in the polyps is actually what allows corals to have its vibrant colours.
The photosynthetic pigments in symbiotic algae contribute to the greenish and brownish colours often seen in corals. Corals can also produce their own fluorescent and non-fluorescent pigments, which contribute to colours such as red, violet, blue and green. Coral colour is influenced by factors including species, symbiotic algae, pigments, environmental conditions, depth and the spectrum of available light. Some coral pigments can provide photoprotection by helping to shield coral tissues and their symbiotic algae from excessive light. If corals have more pigments, they will have more ultraviolet (UV) protection for their resident algae. Changes in coral colour can provide a useful visual indication of stress, particularly during bleaching, but colour alone is not a complete measure of coral health.
The warming of the ocean has had a negative effect in the coral reefs. When corals experience prolonged or sufficiently severe heat stress, they can expel or lose much of their symbiotic algae, causing the coral to bleach and, sadly, its natural pigment protection will not be enough to safeguard them. Without much of its symbiotic algae, the coral loses much of its normal colour and its primary source of photosynthetic energy, although it can still obtain some nutrients by feeding. When the coral is already bleached, If the heat stress subsides before severe or prolonged damage occurs, corals can regain their symbiotic algae and recover to the polyps preventing corals from starving to death. If corals die, reef recovery can take many years or even decades, depending on the severity of the damage and whether further disturbances occur.
Although coral reefs cover less than 1% of the ocean floor, they support around 25% of marine species. Healthy coral reefs provide habitat, feeding, spawning and nursery grounds for more than one million aquatic species. Coral reefs act as natural barriers that reduce wave energy and help protect coastal communities and infrastructure from storms, flooding and erosion, for communities located next to the sea and, also, they effectively prevent erosion of the coastline. Coral reefs provide food, income and livelihoods for hundreds of millions of people around the world, particularly through fisheries, tourism and coastal protection.
There are some simple actions we can take to help coral reefs.
First is to change to reef safe products, specially sunscreen, whenever we are going into the sea. If you visit a coral reef follow good practices to not collide with or touch it as this could cause the coral to break into pieces. Use fertilisers and pesticides responsibly, avoid unnecessary chemical use and prevent garden or agricultural runoff from entering waterways and will pollute the water where corals live. Support organisations that have the mission of protecting coral reefs and volunteer with them. Most importantly, spread the word about the importance of coral reefs and what others can do to help. If we can get enough people to care about this cause we have more chances of making a difference!
The Maldives is an Indian Ocean island nation made up of 26 natural atolls and around 1,200 islands. More than 99% of the Maldives' territory is ocean, with only a small proportion consisting of dry land and The country's islands are closely associated with coral reef systems, with reefs encircling the islands and forming the foundations of the Maldivian atolls, with countless submerged reefs between them. That mix of reef structure, clear water and rich marine life is exactly why diving in the Maldives is considered some of the best scuba diving in the world, whether you prefer an easy house reef or shallow dive from a luxury resort, or more adventurous drift dives, outer reef dives and channel sites reached by Maldives liveaboards.
Best coral reefs in Maldives:
Aerial view of a reef For travellers planning a Maldives dive around exceptional coral, the best coral dive sites in Maldives include Maalhos Thila in North Ari Atoll, Labyrinth in Raa Atoll, HP Reef in North Male Atoll, Kandooma Thila in South Male Atoll, and 7th Heaven in South Ari Atoll. This guide explains what coral is, why its colour and health matter, the threats facing reefs, simple conservation steps, and the best dive sites and top dive sites for seeing vibrant reefs, colourful reef fish and, for lucky divers, larger pelagic species as well. It is written for luxury-minded travellers who want insider guidance on where premium dive resorts, expert dive guides and the right itinerary can open up the Maldives’ most remarkable underwater world, from the central atolls to protected areas including the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in Baa Atoll and other marine protected area zones where conservation shapes the experience.
Maalhos Thila, North Ari Atoll
Maalhos Thila is one of the well-known dive sites in the Maldives. The signature of this place is its The site is known for colourful soft corals, including blue and purple hues. In this site there are also colourful sea fans and, on top of the reef, there are breath-taking Umbrella hard corals. Divers are wowed by this place more astounded at the end when they witness an explosion of hard corals on top of the reef. The reef plate begins at around 10 metres and slopes down to depths of more than 30 metres. For people that want big marine life in their dives this also a place where grey reef and white tip sharks are commonly spotted. Also, it has a wide array of fish such as soldier fish and blue-stripped snappers. Because of its depth and underwater conditions, the site is generally more appropriate for Advanced Open Water divers or suitably experienced divers. The difficulty level varies from easy to medium depending on the intensity of the current.
Labyrinth, Raa Atoll
Raa Atoll is still not as popular as other Atolls in the Maldives but it is, without a doubt, a place with abundant corals and marine life. There are many beautiful reefs in this Atoll but the one that definitely wins the crown is Labyrinth. Labyrinth is known for its complex reef topography, with caves, overhangs and coral-covered areas. This site has tunnels and canyons covered with blue, pink and yellow soft corals as well as strong hard coral growth. The depth ranges from 12 metes to 35 metres with low to strong currents, making it suitable for Advanced Open Water Divers. In this amazing dive spot you can also find glass fish, napoleons, white tip sharks, sting rays, eagle rays, napoleons and big schools of batfish.
HP Reef, North Male Atoll
HP Reef is located in North Malé Atoll, home to the capital, Malé, and Velana International Airport. The main attraction of this reef is its amazing blue and pink-coloured soft coral life. The top of the reef is between 12 to 15 metres and it slopes down to about 35 metres with beautiful canyons and overhangs. Not only the overhangs are covered with soft corals but also the floor and the outside part of its topography. Inside the overhangs, it is a favourite place for nurse sharks to rest and, also, Eagle rays may also be encountered in the area. Scorpion fish play hide and seek by camouflaging with the soft corals and, Schools of yellow snapper and fusiliers may also be seen. This place has a low to strong range of current and it is mostly suitable for Advanced divers. When currents are weak and conditions are suitable, experienced Open Water divers may be able to visit with appropriate supervision and guidance.
Kandooma Thila, South Male Atoll
This is one of the most famous dive sites in the Maldives. In days with the right current it is possible to see big schools of green reef sharks which is actually what makes this place so popular. Divers head to Kandooma Thila because they want to see its sharks but the surprise is how beautiful the coral is. This dive site is a big tear shaped pinnacle that starts at around 15 metres and slopes down to 40 metres. Colourful hard corals can be seen throughout the pinnacle and soft corals are mostly located inside its overhangs. This is also a place where you can find turtles, eagle rays and big schools of a wide variety of fish! Suitable for Advanced Divers only due to its range of medium to strong currents.
7th Heaven, South Ari Atoll
In this dive site you can find endless soft corals in a variety of colours, no wonder why it’s called “7th Heaven”! Divers are amazed by its very strong coral growth. You need a good hour dive here and even then, there is still such a big extension to be explored all covered with colourful corals. The top of this reef is around 15 metres and it slops down with overhangs to a depth from 20 to 30 metres. The overhangs are filled with pink, blue, yellow, and orange soft corals; and, also, lots of gorgonian can be found. Marine life is no less impressive as fish life is quite abundant. Napoleons, eagle rays, groupers, tunas and big schools of snappers and fusiliers live here. If you are lucky, you could even see a blue spotted stingray. This is a place for advanced divers and its difficulty level ranges from easy to medium depending on the current.
Gabriela Farias Gonzalez is the resident Divemaster on JOALI Being.
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