This is a list of papers on coral response to global warming and the ocean acidification. The list is not complete, and will most likely be updated in the future in order to make it more thorough and more representative.
Sea-surface temperature and thermal stress in the Coral Triangle over the past two decades – (Penaflor et al.) (2009) “Increasing ocean temperature has become one of the major concerns in recent times with reports of various related ecological impacts becoming commonplace. One of the more notable is the increased frequency of mass coral bleaching worldwide. This study focuses on the Coral Triangle region and utilizes the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration-Coral Reef Watch (NOAACRW) satellite-derived sea surface temperature (SST) and Degree Heating Weeks (DHW) products to investigate changes in the thermal regime of the Coral Triangle waters between 1985 and 2006. Results show an upward trend in SST during this period with an average rate of 0.2C/ decade. However, warming within this region is not uniform, and the waters of the northern and eastern parts of the Coral Triangle are warming fastest. Areas in the eastern part have experienced more thermal stress events, and these stress events appear to be more likely during a La Nina.” Penaflor et al, Coral Reefs (2009) 28:841–850. [full text]
Coral Reefs and Ocean Acidification – Kleypas and Yates (2009) “Coral reefs were one of the first ecosystems to be recognized as vulnerable to ocean acidification. To date, most scientific investigations into the effects of ocean acidification on coral reefs have been related to the reefs’ unique ability to produce voluminous amounts of calcium carbonate. It has been estimated that the main reef-building organisms, corals and calcifying macroalgae, will calcify 10–50% less relative to pre-industrial rates by the middle of this century. This decreased calcification is likely to affect their ability to function within the ecosystem and will almost certainly affect the workings of the ecosystem itself. However, ocean acidification affects not only the organisms, but also the reefs they build. The decline in calcium carbonate production, coupled with an increase in calcium carbonate dissolution, will diminish reef building and the benefits that reefs provide, such as high structural complexity that supports biodiversity on reefs, and breakwater effects that protect shorelines and create quiet habitats for other ecosystems, such as mangroves and seagrass beds. The focus on calcification in reefs is warranted, but the responses of many other organisms, such as fish, noncalcifying algae, and seagrasses, to name a few, deserve a close look as well.” Joan A. Kleypas and Kimberly K. Yates, Oceanography 22(4):108–117, DOI: 10.5670/oceanog.2009.101. [full text]
Monitoring coral reefs from Space – Eakin et al., (2010) “Coral reefs are one of the world’s most biologically diverse and productive ecosystems. However, these valuable resources are highly threatened by human activities. Satellite remotely sensed observations enhance our understanding of coral reefs and some of the threats facing them by providing global spatial and time-series data on reef habitats and the environmental conditions influencing them in near-real time. This review highlights many of the ways in which satellites are currently used to monitor coral reefs and their threats, and provides a look toward future needs and capabilities.” Eakin CM, Nim CJ, Russell EB, Aubrecht C, Elvidge C, Gledhill DK, Muller-Karger F, Mumby PJ, Skirving WJ, Strong AE, Wang M, Weeks SJ, Wentz F, Ziskin D, Oceanography, 23(4):118–133, DOI:10.5670/oceanog.2010.10 [full text] Baca entri selengkapnya »
