Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument

The Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument is a U.S. National Monument located off Saint John, Virgin Islands.

Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument
IUCN category V (protected landscape/seascape)
Location in the U.S. Virgin Islands
Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument (Caribbean)
LocationVirgin Islands, United States
Nearest citySt John, VI
Coordinates18°18′22″N 64°43′37″W
Area12,708 acres (51.43 km2)[1]
AuthorizedJanuary 17, 2001 (2001-January-17)
Governing bodyNational Park Service
WebsiteVirgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument

The clear waters surrounding Saint John support a diverse and complex system of coral reefs. The health of these reefs is closely tied to its component plants and animals as well as adjacent non-coral marine environments such as sandy bottoms, seagrass beds, and mangrove forests.

Seeking to provide greater protection to the sensitive coral reef resources, President Clinton established the Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument on January 17, 2001. The monument includes 12,708 acres (51 km2) of federal submerged lands within the 3 mile (5 km) belt off Saint John, including Hurricane Hole and areas north and south of Saint John.

Ecosystem
Hurricane Hole, the only coastal part of the National Monument

The coral reefs of the U.S. Virgin Islands suffered severely from coral bleaching in 2005, which led to a 60% decline in coral activity. The USGS began extensive research in the area and scientists discovered previously unknown coral ecosystems at the submerged stems of mangrove trees in the Hurricane Hole area of the National Monument. They found about 30 of the 45 coral species in the Virgin Islands, which is an astonishing diversity for the small area, and were surprised by the number of sponge species as well. This is the first known occurrence of corals in a mangrove ecosystem.[2]

See also

References
  1. "Listing of acreage as of December 31, 2011". Land Resource Division, National Park Service. Retrieved 2012-05-14.
  2. Ann B. Tihansky, Caroline S. Rogers: Discovering the Secret Gardens in the Mangroves of St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands. In: Sound Waves, April 2010, USGS


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