Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve

Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve

The Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve is located in the central western Maldives in the Indian Ocean, north of the Kashidhoo Kandhoo channel. Designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 2011, it encompasses 1,200 square kilometers of coral reefs, islands, seagrass meadows, and mangroves. The atoll supports one of the largest and most diverse reef systems in the Indian Ocean, functioning as a vital ecological bridge for marine species between the eastern and western Indian Ocean. Home to over 250 species of coral and 1,200 reef and pelagic fish species, the reserve is particularly renowned for its seasonal aggregations of plankton-feeding manta rays and whale sharks. The area demonstrates a long history of sustainable human interaction with the environment through traditional fishing practices. Today, it faces significant threats from climate change, including coral bleaching, sea-level rise, and increasing water temperatures.

is51102025

cx27@st-andrews.ac.uk

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18/03/2025

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current, 5.1417° N,73.0664° E;

Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve

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