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The
oceanographic realm of the Maldives thrives on its richness in
Biodiversity and Coral Reefs. The great Maldivian Atolls are unique
habitats on planet Earth. However, the idyllic post-card sceneries and
white-sandy beaches are deceptive:
The Republic of the Maldives inhabits 300.000 people living on islands
just 1metre above the sea-level. The Maldives are also known as
“sinking paradises” and will be directly impacted by rising sea levels
induced by global climate change.
Coral reefs have been the geological foundation of the islands. A rich
coral cover is necessary to built up enough calcium carbonate to ensure
island stability and to cope with rising sea-levels. However,
reef-ecosystems worldwide have been severely affected by a coral
bleaching event back in 1998, which was caused by a very strong El Nino
and sea surface temperatures above the thermal tolerance for hard
corals.
In March 2007, an international team from Germany and Austria along
with scientists from the Maldives set sail to document the state of
Maldivian coral reefs and investigate factors influencing coral reef
growth and resilience. The current status of coral cover and collected
samples were evaluated in cooperation with various universities and
institutes.
In Germany Riffschutz Malediven is recognized as a charitable
non-profit organisation, promoting scientific research, creating public
awareness on threats to coral reefs and marine habitats. Riffschutz
Malediven (Reef-protection Maldives) eV has been established following
the Expedition in 2007 to promote coral reef protection and to continue
and support research to facilitate coral reef survival, growth and
recovery. Projects are designed and supported with funds and logistics,
with and emphasis to improve the basis for a long-term survival of
ailing coral reefs. Only healthy, intact reef-ecosystems are able to
minimize the local effects of global climate change. Furthermore, coral
reefs provide a resource for fisheries, pharmaceutical research and
tourism, which makes them of value beyond the region of the existence.
Internationally respected scientists such as Prof. Dr. Hans Hass
(Vienna), Prof. Dr. Helmut Schumacher (Bochum) and Prof. Joerg Ott
(Vienna) support the work of our NGO.
We welcome you to our portal and invite you to find out more about our
past, current and future activities.
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