Tropical Atlantic (TA)

The Tropical Atlantic (TA) realm extends across the tropical waters on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. In the west, it covers the Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico, and the coast of Brazil; in the east, it stretches along the African coast from Mauritania to Angola. It is characterized by warm, nutrient-poor waters that support extensive coral reefs, particularly in the Caribbean and along the Brazilian shelf. Mangrove forests are another key feature of its tropical coastlines. The realm is bounded to the north and south by temperate marine realms. It is a major hub for marine biodiversity, supporting diverse communities of reef fish, sea turtles, and marine mammals in its six major marine provinces.