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Benin

All articles tagged with #benin

science24 days ago•7 min saved

Twilight Reefs Come Alive: Hidden Benin Mesophotic Gardens Discovered

A Frontiers in Marine Science study reports living mesophotic coral gardens off Benin in the Gulf of Guinea at about 54 meters depth, found after decades when researchers thought such reefs were dead. Using side-scan sonar, underwater cameras, and a drone, scientists documented patchy hard-bottom habitats with octocorals, black corals, and multiple fish species, suggesting these twilight reefs may be refuges from warming and are more widespread but underexplored. Limitations include surveying only one of two identified areas and lacking coral samples for definitive identifications.

via ScienceAlert|

#benin #biodiversity #coral-reefs

science1 month ago•47 min saved

Benin's deep-water reef revived, teeming with life

A coral reef off Benin long thought dead has been found alive in a mesophotic, deeper low-light zone. Researchers used 1960s records to guide sonar surveys and underwater drone footage, revealing a living ecosystem with eight fish species and eight coral types. The find highlights gaps in reef mapping and conservation planning and sets the stage for further fieldwork to confirm species and health, with potential implications for regional biodiversity and local fisheries.

via Yahoo|

#benin #biodiversity #coral-reef

science1 month ago•4 min saved

Living deep-sea coral garden found off Benin, challenging decades-old reef death assumptions

Scientists using side-scan sonar and deep-sea cameras off Benin, West Africa, detected a living mesophotic coral garden about 54 meters deep, overturning decades of belief that this reef system was dead; the site hosts six octocorals, two black corals, and at least eight reef fish species with no observed bleaching, marking the first confirmed mesophotic reef on the Gulf of Guinea shelf. Researchers plan to collect samples to assess health and resilience amid climate-driven warming.

via ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos|

#benin #coral #gulf-of-guinea

science1 month ago•21 min saved

Rediscovered Deep-Water Reef Off Benin Surprises Scientists with Rich Biodiversity

Scientists rediscovered a healthy mesophotic reef off Benin, West Africa, more than 60 years after it was first hinted at, hosting at least eight coral types and eight fish species (including soft corals and black corals). The reef lies about 175 feet below the surface and bridges shallow and deep habitats, offering opportunities for paleoclimatic study and carbon dating, with plans to seek protection and hopes that the Gulf of Guinea becomes a regional hub for marine science.

via Slashdot|

#benin #coral-reef #marine-conservation

science1 month ago•13 min saved

Benin's long-lost deep-sea reef found thriving after decades

A deep-water coral reef off Benin, previously deemed dead from 1960s surveys, has been rediscovered thriving thanks to modern sonar, an underwater drone, and the Deep Sea Camera System. The researchers mapped 11.5 km of seabed, found eight coral types and eight fish species (including golden African snappers and Guinean angelfish), and identified it as a mesophotic ecosystem. Further sampling is needed to confirm coral vitality and historical status, but the find points to an underexplored reef habitat with implications for ocean history and conservation.

via Oceanographic Magazine|

#benin #biodiversity #coral-reef

world-news4 months ago•72 min saved

Benin gears up for transition as Talon's successor election unfolds

Voters in Benin headed to the polls to pick a successor to President Patrice Talon, with Finance Minister Abdoulaye Bio Tchané seen as the frontrunner; observers are watching turnout and the vote's conduct as the country transitions to its next leadership.

via AP News|

#abdoulaye-bio-tchane #benin #elections

world1 year ago•1 min saved

Ciara Gains Beninese Citizenship Under New Slavery-Descendants Law

US singer Ciara has been granted citizenship of Benin under a new law that offers nationality to descendants of slaves, as part of Benin's initiative to reconnect with the African diaspora and promote cultural tourism. The law, called My Afro Origins, aims to return roots to those affected by the transatlantic slave trade, with Ciara expressing honor and gratitude for the gesture.

via BBC|

#african-diaspora #benin #ciara

environment2 years ago•6 min saved

"Benin's Voodoo Believers Grieve as Sacred Forests Vanish"

In Benin, the birthplace of Voodoo, believers are lamenting the steady shrinkage of the sacred forests they revere. These forests are seen as vital to the religion, housing spirits that are prayed to and sought for guidance. However, economic development, farming expansion, and urbanization have led to a significant decrease in the forested areas. The loss of these spaces not only poses an environmental concern but also threatens the social fabric of Benin's population, 11% of whom practice Voodoo. Efforts are being made to preserve the forests while developing the country, but the challenge lies in finding a balance between economic progress and cultural heritage.

via The Associated Press|

#benin #cultural-heritage #deforestation

accidentsdisasters2 years ago•1 min saved

Fatal Fires Ravage Benin, Claiming Dozens of Lives

At least 35 people were killed and several others injured in an explosion at an illegal fuel depot in southern Benin. The blast occurred as gasoline bags were being unloaded from a vehicle at a contraband fuel depot, where commuters were stocking up on fuel. Benin, a neighboring state of Nigeria, has a substantial fuel black market due to smuggling from Nigeria. The incident has prompted an investigation into the circumstances, and the government has expressed condolences to the victims' families.

via DW (English)|

#accidentsdisasters #benin #fuel-depot-blast

accidentsdisasters2 years ago•2 min saved

Fatal Fires Ravage Benin, Claiming Dozens of Lives

At least 35 people, including a child, were killed and more than a dozen others were seriously injured after a fuel depot caught fire in Benin's Seme-Podji town near the border with Nigeria. The blaze, which engulfed an illegal warehouse for smuggled fuel, is believed to have started during the unloading of gasoline bags. Fuel smuggling is common in the area, and the cause of the fire is suspected to be smuggled fuel. An investigation has been launched to determine the exact cause of the incident.

via Al Jazeera English|

#accidentsdisasters #benin #border-with-nigeria