Monday, January 15, 2007

The most extensive deepwater coral reefs in Europe

The most extensive deepwater coral reefs in Europe

First photographed by un-manned submarines in the mid-1990s, Ireland's deepwater coral reefs are among the most extensive in Europe, second only to those in Norway.

They are found some 100 to 250 miles off Ireland's West coast at depths of between 600 and 1000m. These peripheral Irish waters provide optimal growing conditions for coldwater-loving corals. Highly productive surface waters yield plenty of nourishing detritus to the coral below, fast flowing currents are rich in nutrients, the temperature and salinity ranges are perfect and there are sufficient hard surfaces to which the corals can firmly attach themselves.

They took thousands of years to develop, growing up to 2mm a year to form fragile carbonate mounds (thought to be the largest in the world) that are now 10s of metres high and covering an area of 100s of sq metres.

The reefs provide a bustling habitat for animals such as sponges, fish, worms, crabs, shrimps and other crustaceans. Being so remote and at such high pressure depth the reefs are fairly inaccessible. There are plans to place permanent observatories on the reefs to aid scientific research.

In mid-2006 Ireland became the first country in Europe to propose formally to the European Commission that four of its coral reef sites be designated as Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) under the provisions of the 1992 Habitats Directive. This will make it illegal to perform any activities (such as those involved in fishing, scientific research or acoustic surveying) that may cause them damage.

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The island of ireland

Once upon a time, and for 15000 years, ice a mile high blanketed Ireland. When the lingering Ice Age finally released and the Irish ice departed it left a landscape scoured. Across land bridges linking Ireland, Britain and mainland Europe plants and animals arrived to colonise the new lowlands, mountains and valleys. The world’s ice continued to melt, the sea levels to rise, and some 8000 years ago Ireland became the island we now know, accounting for just 0.01% of the world's total land area and the most westerly point of Europe.

Though at Alaskan latitudes, the country's climate is tempered, due partly to the neighbouring waters of the Gulf Stream and partly the prevailing southwesterlies that veering and backing make landfall on our sodden coast. These offerings from the Atlantic mean it is never too hot, never too cold. But without doubt it is wet. Rain lingers year round, never far away, though is most frequent in winter, the western counties and, inevitably, on the day of your parade.