Latest news with #PradaRe-Nylon
National Geographic
19-02-2025
- Science
- National Geographic
Marine engineers: Five species that shape underwater ecosystems
Among the myriad creatures that populate our ocean, some stand out as having an outsized impact on the marine environment—shaping and maintaining habitats that themselves sustain countless other forms of life. Gentle Giants. La Paz, Mexico is a mecca for juvenile whale sharks which return to the plankton rich waters of the Gulf of California each year to feed in relatively protected waters, before embarking on longer migrations. Video by National Geographic CreativeWorks Ecosystem engineers are species whose behaviors help build, modify and maintain an array of underwater worlds. None of these creatures are impacting our ocean like human beings, however. Which is why Prada Group, together with UNESCO-IOC, created the SEA BEYOND educational program—which benefits from 1 percent of the proceeds from the Prada Re-Nylon for SEA BEYOND Collection—that teaches ocean literacy in schools around the world. The hope is to inspire a new generation of ocean custodians to discover creatures like the ones described below. And in understanding them, feel an urgent need to protect them. Reef-building Corals: master architects Coral polyps are among the greatest builders on our planet. From the tropics to the Arctic, these tiny creatures spend thousands of years patiently constructing the largest living structures on Earth. Corals are actually microscopic animals that enjoy a symbiotic relationship with tiny algae called zooxanthellae. The corals provide the zooxanthellae with the carbon dioxide and water they need to photosynthesize, while the zooxanthellae supply the building blocks of sugars and proteins the corals need in order to secrete the calcium carbonate that forms the building materials of the vast three dimensional 'cities' that account for approximately 1 percent of the ocean floor, yet support approximately 25 percent of all marine species. Coral reefs provide more than just shelter though—they modify the flow of water and influence wave patterns, distributing nutrients and larvae, especially in the tropics. They also provide coastal barriers that protect coasts from storm surges and erosion. Find a human architect or engineer who can do all of that! Coral reefs are the ultimate underwater architects, working in tandem with tiny algae to shape their colorful calcium carbonate habitats—the most productive marine ecosystems on Earth. Photograph from Adobe Stock Unlike most sharks, whale sharks are filter feeders, a trait they share with that other ocean behemoth, the whale. These gentle giants cycle vast amounts of nutrients through their feeding habits and as such play a crucial role in regulating marine microbes like plankton, as well as chemicals like nitrogen that support all life in the ocean. Whale sharks spend most of their lives migrating vast distances between feeding grounds and in doing so they deposit vital nutrients through their excrement, which in turn fertilizes phytoplankton blooms, helping to regulate the spread of these crucial microorganisms across different biogeographical zones, as well as through the water column. Research shows that whale sharks routinely dive to depths below 3,200 feet (1,000 meters), vertically blending nutrients by feeding on krill in deep waters, before excreting them closer to the surface. This fertilizing activity, which is shared by many cetaceans, is known as the 'whale pump,' or in some circles 'the poop loop,' and supports the entire web of life in the ocean. Whale sharks also help regulate fish populations by preventing any single species from dominating the ecosystem. Like whales, whale sharks are filter feeders that consume enormous amounts of plankton and small fish, helping to maintain the balance of the marine food web. Photograph by CELESTE SLOMAN Deep sea mussels are not like the mussels you might enjoy in a white wine, butter, and lemon juice sauce. Unlike their shallow water counterparts, deep sea mussels live and die in the lightless depths of the ocean, between 1,600 feet (500 meters) and close to 10,000 feet (3,000 meters) underwater. Their preferred habitat is in close proximity to hydrothermal vents that spew water laden with chemicals that are toxic to human beings, but provide the mussels with the compounds they need to create energy. Over time, they gather in dense colonies that can cover thousands of square feet of the sea bed, forming complex three-dimensional habitats, not unlike reefs, that provide shelter for a wide variety of deep sea species. The deep-sea bivalves act like a vast filtration system, modifying the chemical composition of the water around the vents so that it is more habitable. Like corals, they are symbiotes, hosting tiny bacteria that assist them with metabolic conversions, as well as protecting them from viruses and other harmful bacteria. Deep-sea mussels thrive close to hydrothermal vents, forming dense beds that provide habitats and sustenance for other species. PhotographCOURTESY OF DEEPWATER CANYONS 2013 - PATHWAYS TO THE ABYSS, NOAA-OER/BOEM/USGS. They may lack the charisma of corals, but blow lugworms (Arenicola marina) play a crucial role in shaping both underwater and terrestrial topographies. They are not unlike earthworms, except instead of soil, they process sediment through a combination of burrowing and feeding that is known as bioturbation. These activities form funnels in the sand that facilitate the transfer of oxygen and help prevent sand from clogging. At the same time, the lugworms literally 'eat' the sand, extracting tiny microorganisms and organic matter as they ingest it. They then pop their tails just above the surface and excrete the processed sand, creating the distinctive tiny coils that can be seen across beaches all over the world. Yes, these coils are lugworm poops. At the same time, lugworm burrows provide habitats for other species, while the entire intertidal ecosystem is made more habitable thanks to their filtering activities. Lugworms sift sand in huge quantities in a process known as bioturbation, oxygenating beaches and providing habitats for many other small creatures. Photograph from Adobe Stock (Top) (Left) and Photograph from Adobe Stock (Bottom) (Right) If you've ever dived or snorkeled a coral reef, chances are you will have encountered these champions of marine industry. And if you've ever set foot on a tropical beach, then you've witnessed the outcome of their hard work. Parrotfish—so named for their colorful livery and powerful beaks—are literally able to create beaches. They do so by feeding on the algae that grow inside coral polyps, inadvertently ingesting huge amounts of calcium carbonate in the process. Their digestive systems then convert the coral skeleton into fine white sand. They are voracious eaters and can take 20 bites of coral in a minute—making them prolific excreters, too. It's estimated that a single parrotfish can generate nearly 2,000 pounds (900 kilograms) of sand in a year. Scientists believe they play a key role in shaping coastal ecosystems around coral reefs, even helping to form coral atolls. Parrotfish feed on algae inside coral polyps—consuming hard coral skeleton in the process, which they poop out as fine white sand, literally engineering picture postcard beaches. Yes, that's parrotfish poop between your toes! Photograph from Adobe Stock Through SEA BEYOND, Prada Group and UNESCO-IOC have reached almost 35,000 students from 184 schools and 56 countries around the world, investigating the connection between the ocean and climate and related environmental challenges. Find out more about how understanding our ocean can be the very thing to help save it; and more about Prada Group's work with UNESCO-IOC here.
The National
31-01-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
Black Book: Benedict Cumberbatch in Norway with Prada, Dior's Chiffre Rouge, Louboutin and Margiela team up
Every week, The National's Luxury magazine team puts together Black Book, a cheat sheet of the most interesting and noteworthy arrivals in fashion, watches, jewellery and cars. Prada Re-Nylon Prada continues its sustainability journey with a new chapter in its Re-Nylon campaign, unveiling a series of films that explore the collection's impact on communities and ecosystems around the world. The first episode, starring British actor Benedict Cumberbatch, takes viewers to Norway's breathtaking Lofoten Archipelago within the Arctic Circle, shedding light on the plastic pollution. The film highlights how Prada Re-Nylon repurposes ocean plastics into luxury fashion, showcasing the industry's potential to drive environmental change. The latest Sea Beyond collection introduces a line of bags and accessories crafted from Prada Re-Nylon, a fabric made by recycling and purifying plastic collected from oceans, fishing nets, landfills and textile fibre waste. Standout pieces from the collection include men's backpacks, a handbag and a bucket hat, all designed in this sustainable material. Dior Chiffre Rouge Dior expands its Chiffre Rouge collection with three new timepieces that pay homage to the house's haute couture heritage. With an elegant, eye-catching black design, the watch is accentuated by bold scarlet-red details and white highlights, as well as the brand's cannage motif which appears across the dial and strap. Each watch embodies Dior's distinctive aesthetic and in a nod to the house's founder, the number 8 – Christian Dior's favourite number – is highlighted in red. This limited-edition release includes three models: a 38mm dial model, available with or without diamonds, and a 41mm chronograph. Designed for both men and women, only 100 pieces of each watch will be produced, making it a collector's must-have. Celine Celine introduces the Camille, a new addition to its 16 Soft Line. This hobo-style bag, featuring a curved silhouette and a versatile shoulder strap, offers practicality combined with Parisian elegance. The rounded shape of the Camille 16 Soft is crafted in soft leather and finished with the house's gold lock closure. Available in two sizes and a timeless palette of tan, black and sand hues, the bag also features a multifunctional strap. AED10,500 for the small version and AED12,000 for the medium bag. Christian Louboutin X Maison Margiela Shoe designer Christian Louboutin has collaborated with Maison Margiela to create an avant-garde capsule footwear collection which combines the unique design aesthetic of both brands. Conceived by Maison Margiela's now former-creative director John Galliano and Christian Louboutin, the brand's founder, the collection reinvents Margiela's trademark Tabi shoe, reimagining it with Louboutin's signature red sole and a more sculptural, curvaceous silhouette. In a reverse exchange of aesthetics, Margiela's influence extends to classic Louboutin styles like the Rosalie and Loubiella, which now feature the house's deconstructed, split-toe design. Available from March 12. Louis Vuitton High jewellery Louis Vuitton has unveiled the second chapter in its Awakened Hands, Awakened Minds high jewellery collection, showcasing the house's savoir-faire through a series of bracelets, rings, watches and necklaces. Designed by Francesca Amfitheatrof, the collection combines precious metals combined with diamonds and coloured gemstones. Drawing inspiration from 19th-century France and its revolutionary design era, the pieces feature the LV Monogram Star Cut Diamond, which debuted in chapter one, as well as a limited men's high jewellery collection – a first for the brand. Sebago X Weekend Max Mara Weekend Max Mara has partnered with Sebago, the American footwear brand, known for its preppy Dan Penny Loafer. The loafers were popular amongst American college students in the 1950s. For the collaboration with the Italian fashion brand, the two have reinvented the Dan Penny Loafer in smooth brushed leather, featuring hand-sewn details, micro studs and a detachable tassel. Available in brown, burgundy and black editions. AED1,587
National Geographic
30-01-2025
- Science
- National Geographic
Sound waves and sea creatures
Thousands of marine species from microscopic zooplankton to the largest cetaceans rely on sound for survival and many have evolved unique oral and aural adaptations. Understanding them better could help us reduce the impact of anthropogenic noises from shipping and marine industry. Beneath the waves, the ocean is a world of sound. Marine animals like whales use sound to travel, communicate, and find food underwater. But since humans have introduced machinery, the ocean is a far louder place. Video by National Geographic CreativeWorks Humans tend to associate the ocean with silence. Yet water doesn't mute sound, but amplifies it. Sound waves travel 4.3 times faster underwater than they do in the air and they retain their energy for much longer. Many sea creatures depend on sound, and have evolved complex systems of communication that they use for connection, reproduction, territorial assertion and survival. But over the last few decades, the ocean has become an increasingly noisy place thanks to us humans—shipping noise, industry and seismic air guns searching for oil and gas have a devastating impact on many sea creatures that rely on sound for survival. Through the SEA BEYOND educational program—which benefits from 1% of the proceeds from the Prada Re-Nylon for SEA BEYOND Collection—Prada Group and UNESCO-IOC are bringing the underwater world into classrooms around the world and helping to foster a deeper understanding and love for our planet's marine ecosystems—including the acoustic environment. Here are five marine animals that display unique aural adaptations that help them to thrive underwater. 1. Sperm whales: Masters of echolocation Because they spend a great deal of their time at depths of between 1,000 and 10,000 feet (300-3,000 meters) where little or no sunlight can penetrate, sperm whales rely on echolocation to navigate. This marine giant emits powerful vocalizations in the form of rhythmic clicks that bounce off underwater objects so that the whale can create a highly detailed sonic map of the surrounding ocean topography. These clicks are capable of traversing great distances and are useful for detecting prey and communicating with pod members that may be hundreds of miles away. They pack a punch, too, reaching up to 230 decibels—enough to stun prey like squid or sharks. This echolocation ability is highly evolved—a sperm whale is able to single out a small ray from the kaleidoscope of ocean sounds surrounding it with surgical accuracy in total darkness. Sperm whales navigate in the dark ocean depths using echolocation, emitting clicks of up to 230 decibels that can travel for miles underwater. Photograph from Adobe Stock Like sperm whales, sea lions are highly vocal animals, but they operate in a very different ecosystem. Many sea lion populations are found in the dense kelp forests that form a great highway along the Pacific coast of the Americas. Here, they use sound to keep track of each other, socialize, navigate and lay claim to territory. Indeed, sea lions are among the noisiest of sea creatures, letting out barks, grunts, growls, whines and clicks that all carry meaning. Male sea lions, for example, generate distinctive territorial calls that resonate through the marine environment, creating underwater sound maps that define breeding and hunting territories. These calls can extend several kilometers, allowing sea lions to establish precise acoustic boundaries without resorting to physical confrontation. Mother sea lions communicate with their pups using highly individualized calls that are instantly recognizable—an invaluable tool for keeping track of errant offspring in the thick kelp forests, or when joining hunting migrations. Sea lions are some of the most vocal marine animals—which reflects their highly social nature. Photograph from Adobe Stock Pistol shrimps may be small, averaging around 1.5 inches (4cm) in length, but to say that these little crustaceans punch above their weight is an understatement. The pistol shrimp possesses one outsized claw, which it can snap closed at close to 65 miles per hour (100kmh). This creates what's called a 'cavitation bubble' that can generate an extraordinary 218 decibels of sound when it collapses under the pressure of the water surrounding it. For a split second, this sonic blast heats the water close to the bubble to temperatures in excess of 8,000 degrees Fahrenheit (4,427 degrees Celsius)—four times hotter than lava. It's a pretty handy talent when it comes to stunning or killing prey, such as small fish and invertebrates, deterring predators or competitors from entering its territory, as well as for communicating with other pistol shrimps. Despite their diminutive size, pistol shrimp—or snapping shrimp, as they are often known—can generate underwater explosions at an astonishing 218 decibels. Photograph from Adobe Stock Secreting itself among rocks on the seabed and in sheltered coastal habitats, at first glance the oyster toadfish looks like a nondescript blob, but it's actually quite the lothario. Male toadfish woo potential mates using a medley of mating calls that they generate by vibrating their swim bladders—sort of like an underwater bagpipe. During the breeding season, the males use their muscles to rapidly contract their swim bladders, generating what's often described as a 'boat whistle' sound at frequencies that are capable of traversing significant distances in search of a female. Each vocalization is distinctive, and marine researchers are able to identify individual fish by their unique sonic signatures. Besides these love songs, toadfish also use acoustic signals to ward off competitors, socialize and establish territory. These bottom-dwelling fish woo potential mates by vibrating their swim bladders at frequencies that can traverse great distances, generating sound signatures that are easily recognizable. Photograph from Shutterstock The plainfin midshipman is a nocturnal species of toadfish that has evolved a highly sensitized auditory adaptation. Native to the Pacific coast of the US, this unassuming bottom-dweller has an acute sense of hearing that is keyed into specific frequencies and even changes depending on the season. Their delicate inner ear structures—called the utricle and saccule—are fine-tuned to detect specific sound signatures. These sensory organs are lined with microscopic hair cells that translate mechanical vibrations into neural signals, and are highly developed. What's more, female plainfins are better able to hear quieter sounds in the summer thanks to changes in dopamine levels in their inner ear—a form of auditory plasticity that allows them to detect and choose mates. Another bottom dweller, the plainfin midshipman has highly adapted hearing, using inner ear mechanisms to differentiate between different sounds. Photograph from Adobe Stock Marine ecosystems provide critical life support to countless unique species—including humans. To protect them, we need to understand them. This is one of the key reasons Prada is channeling 1% of proceeds from its regenerated Re-Nylon collection to encourage ocean literacy and research initiatives that help preserve our ocean. Find out more about how understanding our ocean can be the very thing to help save it; and more about Prada Group's work with UNESCO-IOC here.
