The Amazon is not the only natural “lung” on Earth. The Coral Triangle is a region of the Pacific Ocean that covers the waters of the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Timor-Leste.
This marine area is one of the most important places for life on Earth, according to scientists and ocean organizations like WWF and Mission Blue. Indeed, according to experts, “it harbors more species than anywhere else on the planet, with single reefs that contain more species than the entire Caribbean.” Which means that a single coral reef there has the capacity to support more life than the entire Caribbean Sea.
The Coral Triangle is located beneath water and it keeps the natural balance of Earth’s systems, just like the Amazon.
But just like the rainforest, is also under stress from pollution, overuse, and climate change. Will we be able to preserve this underwater treasure in time? That’s the big question.
The Coral Triangle and it’s mysteries
The Coral Triangle is like a city structure. Fish, turtles, and many other small animals find homes and food in the “buildings” of coral reefs, and predators keep a harmony like “security,” while algae and microbes serve as the city’s energy grid.
There’s more biodiversity in that area than anywhere else in the ocean. And that’s important for two main reasons:
First, nature: an ecosystem with more species is more robust and resilient, able to deal with heat waves and storms. And second, people: these waters are essential to the food, livelihoods, and culture of millions of people in the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Timor-Leste.
James Morgan, a photographer who has documented the area, calls it “underwater Amazon.”
The threats in the underwater Amazon
According to Mission Blue (supporter of The Coral Triangle): “Like the Amazon, the Coral Triangle is under grave threat. Overfishing and the use of destructive fishing techniques like dynamite and cyanide devastate these fragile coral gardens, which can take thousands of years to grow.” The main risks are obvious:
-
Overfishing happens when fish (and occasionally corals) are taken before they have had time to reproduce.
-
Destructive methods like destroying reefs that took centuries to form with cyanide and dynamite.
-
Oil, gas, and mining are examples of extractive industries that harm delicate ecosystems.
-
Due to climate change, entire food chains are being altered and corals are stressing by warmer, more acidic seas.
What can it be helpful then? Sustainable tourism is one option. Together with WWF, The Coral Triangle promotes a Sustainable Tourism Portal that lists dive sites, eco-friendly cruises, and resorts.
Tourism contributes to the solution when tourists choose tour operators who preserve reefs, stay out of disposable plastics, and follow “look, don’t touch” rules. Working with local communities, such as sea nomad groups, whose customs rely on healthy oceans, is also vital. Preservation becomes more intelligent and fair when these communities take the lead.
While combating climate change is more difficult, corals worldwide benefit from lower emissions and the use of clean energy since they reduce acidity in the oceans and thermal stress.
Protecting the other Earth’s lung
The Coral Triangle is as important at sea as the Amazon is on land. However, it is struggling today.
And this is not a problem from far away; it’s actually an universal one. The Coral Triangle is the planet’s second lung, and it’s working underwater while the other one is supporting the world from the rainforest in the Amazon. So, if you ever go, think about preserving the reefs because you won’t be just protecting that one, you will be protecting the rest of the planet too.