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Greenblueducation is a project to promote environmental
education and
respect
of
nature,
usinginteractive
and
directmethods |
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| PROFILE | |
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| ACTIVITIES | |
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MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION IN THE MALDIVES | |
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MARINE BIOLOGISTS RECRUITMENT FOR THE MALDIVES | |
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MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION IN ITALY | |
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ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION FOR SCHOOLS | |
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| CONTACT AND LINKS | |
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ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION IN MALDIVES |
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Effect of the TSUNAMI on Maldivian coral reefs |
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Marine environmental education in the Maldives The team The team of marine biologists working at Four Seasons Maldives consists of graduates from various universities, with a specialization in marine conservation, knowledge of coral reef ecosystems and a Padi Dive master qualification. They are all English speaking and coordinated by Elisabetta Colombo. The team consists of:
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The environmental quest is to educate the guests to respect and protect the fragile ecosystem of the Maldives. Daily tasks for the marine biologists include collection of research data for the reef ball project and conduct the following guests and staff activities:
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ReefBall Project Coral reef ecosystems throughout the world are in serious decline. Coral reefs are at risk from human-induced threats as well as natural threats, all of which cause stress to corals. The main threat to the health of coral reefs is global warming, leading to what is known as coral bleaching.
In the summer of 1998 the EL Nino phenomenon had a dramatic impact on the health of the coral reefs
worldwide and particularly in the Indian Ocean. Coral bleaching caused by an increase in water
temperature over a period of more than three months heavily impacted the reefs of the Maldives,
killing more than 80% of its live corals. In recent years researchers have observed encouraging
proofs that corals are slowly growing back and that the reefs are rejuvenating themselves.For this reasons, in 2001, the management of Four Seasons Resort Maldives with the technical help of Elisabetta Colombo, resident marine biologist, contacted the Reef Ball Foundation, an environmental organization based in the United States. They embarked on an experimental project to study the conditions which could speed up reef rejuvenation. In 2002, after a promising development of five experimental reef balls, the resort decides to involve a team and contacts Seamarc, a marine consulting agency in Male' to work out the master plan for a major scientific research project.
The Reef Ball Project is a long-term project, focused on increasing awareness and knowledge of the natural
reef environment. Monitoring of the coral transplants, naturally settling coral recruits and recording of visitors to,
and residents of, the Reef Balls are all part of the project. In order to sustain the Reef Ball Project financially,
Four Seasons has initiated the "Adopt a Reef Ball" concept. Adopting a Reef Ball gives something back to the natural environment.
There is a fee for adopting a Reef Ball for 5 years. Adopters will receive a framed certificate of adoption as well as annual
reports including updates of the inhabitants of their Reef Ball. Presently, 20 of the total 60 Reef Balls have been adopted. |
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