The Kimberley Coast
The Kimberley coast is rich in species habitats, ranging from mangroves to seagrass beds, fringing reefs, mudflats and sandy bottoms. In addition, the Kimberley boasts an extraordinarily large tidal range of more than ten metres. This results in two major effects; an extensive tidal zone, and strong currents, exceeding five knots at times. The currents also stir up silts deposited by the large rivers of the Kimberley, causing high water turbidity, particularly inshore during Spring Tides.
Dr Gerald Allen and Roger Steene, in their excellent Indo-Pacific Coral Reef Field Guide state that "Increased sea temperatures have only had adverse effects since 1980, when El-Nino boosted temperatures exceeded the thermal tolerance of corals and their symbiotic algae." When the upper limit of heat tolerance is reached by the algae that give corals their colour, deaths will occur with the corresponding bleaching of the coral host. Besides colour, the algae also provide sugars and other nutrients leaked into the tissue of the coral host. Global warming is believed to be a major factor in coral bleaching, and may herald the beginning of the end of coral reefs as we know them.
Kimberley marine fauna consists of a largely Indo-West Pacific element, typical of Northern Australia marine faunas. Many species are either widespread throughout the tropics and sub-tropics, or more confined to the Indo-Malaysian, New Guinea and Australian sub-province1. This coast boasts a high diversity of corals and marine molluscs, which are at severe risk if sea temperatures are raised due to global warming. Click here for marine images.
To date, exploration in the marine science of the Kimberley coast has been limited by time and funding, thus there no doubt remains much to be discovered. Our own explorations have revealed many species known to exist elsewhere in the Indo-Pacific, but also found on the Kimberley coast.
There is exciting work to be done on identification of all manner of marine and terrestrial flora and fauna, including sponges, anemones, nudibranches, flatworms, corals, marine flora, crustaceans, acquatic insects and fish.
We welcome input on species identification. Please email us.
1. Survey of the Aquatic Fauna of the Kimberley Islands and Reefs, Western Australia, Edited by Gary Morgan, Western Australian Museum, April 1992.
1. Indo-Pacific Coral Reef Field Guide, Dr Gerald R.Allen and Roger Steene, Tropical Reef Research, 2002.
Click here to view a gallery of marine images.
Dr Gerald Allen and Roger Steene, in their excellent Indo-Pacific Coral Reef Field Guide state that "Increased sea temperatures have only had adverse effects since 1980, when El-Nino boosted temperatures exceeded the thermal tolerance of corals and their symbiotic algae." When the upper limit of heat tolerance is reached by the algae that give corals their colour, deaths will occur with the corresponding bleaching of the coral host. Besides colour, the algae also provide sugars and other nutrients leaked into the tissue of the coral host. Global warming is believed to be a major factor in coral bleaching, and may herald the beginning of the end of coral reefs as we know them.
Kimberley marine fauna consists of a largely Indo-West Pacific element, typical of Northern Australia marine faunas. Many species are either widespread throughout the tropics and sub-tropics, or more confined to the Indo-Malaysian, New Guinea and Australian sub-province1. This coast boasts a high diversity of corals and marine molluscs, which are at severe risk if sea temperatures are raised due to global warming. Click here for marine images.
To date, exploration in the marine science of the Kimberley coast has been limited by time and funding, thus there no doubt remains much to be discovered. Our own explorations have revealed many species known to exist elsewhere in the Indo-Pacific, but also found on the Kimberley coast.
There is exciting work to be done on identification of all manner of marine and terrestrial flora and fauna, including sponges, anemones, nudibranches, flatworms, corals, marine flora, crustaceans, acquatic insects and fish.
We welcome input on species identification. Please email us.
1. Survey of the Aquatic Fauna of the Kimberley Islands and Reefs, Western Australia, Edited by Gary Morgan, Western Australian Museum, April 1992.
1. Indo-Pacific Coral Reef Field Guide, Dr Gerald R.Allen and Roger Steene, Tropical Reef Research, 2002.
Click here to view a gallery of marine images.
