Marine wildlife of Baa Atoll
The marine wildlife of Baa Atoll consists of marine species living in a circular
The whole is approximately 38 km by 46 km, covering a surface of 1,127 km2.
The archipelago has been located inside the UNESCO Biosphere reserve since 2011.[1] Its shallow waters, particularly rich in coral and fish as well as turtles and dolphins, make a favored place for seaside and underwater tourism.[1]
The ecosystem is characterized by a very high rate of coral cover, highly diverse and dominated by table, digitate and branched corals of the genus Acropora. The shallow waters of this atoll and its particular richness in corals and fish have made it a destination for underwater tourism.[1] The presence of huge animals such as manta rays and whale sharks add spectacular encounters to the beauty of the place.[3] Scientific studies suggest that the faunistic composition can vary greatly between neighbor atolls, especially in terms of benthic fauna.[4]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d "Baa Atoll, Maldives: UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve | Maldives - the sunny side of life". Archived from the original on 2014-08-08. Retrieved 2014-08-28.
- ^ Paul S. Kench et al., "The geomorphology of Baa (south Maalhosmadulu) atoll and its reef islands", in Andréfoüet et al., Biodiversity, resources, and conservation of Baa atoll (Republic of Maldives) : a UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve, Washington DC, Atoll Research Bulletin, 2012
- ^ "The Manta Trust". Marine Savers.
- ^ Frédéric Ducarme (2016). "Field observations of sea cucumbers in Ari Atoll, and comparison with two nearby atolls in Maldives" (PDF). SPC Beche-de-mer Information Bulletin. 36.
Sources
Main scientific reference
- Andréfouët, Serge, ed. (2012). "Biodiversity, resources, and conservation of Baa atoll (Republic of Maldives) : a UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve". Atoll Research Bulletin: 247. ISSN 0077-5630.
Bibliography
- Jen Veron, Corals of the world, Townsville, Australie, ed. Mary Stafford-Smith, 2000 (ISBN 0 642 32236 8).
- E. Lieske et R.F. Myers, Guide des poissons des récifs coralliens, Lausanne, Delachaux et Niestlé, 1994, 400 p. (ISBN 2-603-00982-6).
- Rudie H. Kuiter, Photo guide to fishes of the Maldives, Apollo Bay, Atoll, 1998, 257 p. (ISBN 1 876410 18 3).
- Neville Coleman, Marine life of the Maldives, Apollo Bay, Atoll, 2004, 257 p. (ISBN 1 876410 54 X).
Databases
Taxonomic databases and references
