1 August 2020 | New Scientist | 29Marine mosaic
Photographer Georgette Douwma
Agency naturepl.com
HAILED as the rainforests of the
sea, coral reefs support almost a
quarter of all marine species, from
turtles and fish – like the clownfish
peeking out of its anemone that
is seen repeatedly in this image –
to snails and worms.
Dutch photographer
Georgette Douwma’s work reflects
the ability of corals and some
anemones to clone themselves
from broken fragments. Here,
she has combined mirrored shots
of the clownfish and its home to
create the impression of a
natural kaleidoscope.
Due to a deadly combination
of ocean acidification and
warming from climate change,
destructive fishing practices and
pollution, coral reefs could soon
cease to exist. Researchers at the
University of Hawai‘i in Manoa
recently estimated that coral
reefs could decline by up to
90 per cent by 2050.
Warmer waters have already
triggered mass bleaching events
of corals, including of the Great
Barrier Reef in Australia. Bleaching
strips corals of their protective
algae as well as their bright
colours, leaving them at risk
of starvation and disease.
“My ultimate aim is to
capture something that can
communicate the vibrancy and
colour of healthy reefs, before the
next big bleaching event happens,”
says Douwma. “To watch them
die would be a tragedy.” ❚
Gege Li