
via the UN
Coral reefs are in decline, but their collapse can still be avoided with local and global action.
That’s according to findings reported in the Cell Press journal Current Biology on May 9 based on an analysis that combines the latest science on reef dynamics with the latest climate models.
“People benefit by reefs’ having a complex structure—a little like a Manhattan skyline, but underwater,” said Peter Mumby of The University of Queensland and University of Exeter. “Structurally complex reefs provide nooks and crannies for thousands of species and provide the habitat needed to sustain productive reef fisheries. They’re also great fun to visit as a snorkeler or diver. If we carry on the way we have been, the ability of reefs to provide benefits to people will seriously decline.”
To predict the reefs’ future, the researchers spent two years constructing a computer model of how reefs work, building on hundreds of studies conducted over the last 40 years. They then combined their reef model with climate models to make predictions about the balance between forces that will allow reefs to continue growing their complex calcium carbonate structures and those such as hurricanes and erosion that will shrink them.
Ideally, Mumby said, the goal is a carbonate budget that remains in the black for the next century at least. Such a future is possible, the researchers’ model shows, but only with effective local protection and assertive action on greenhouse gases.
“Business as usual isn’t going to cut it,” he said. “The good news is that it does seem possible to maintain reefs—we just have to be serious about doing something. It also means that local reef management—efforts to curb pollution and overfishing—are absolutely justified. Some have claimed that the climate change problem is so great that local management is futile. We show that this viewpoint is wrongheaded.”
The Latest Bing News on:
Coral reefs
- Earth 8: Carbon dioxide's toxic effect on earth's coral reefs and shellfishon March 1, 2021 at 6:58 pm
While we're well aware of the damage done to our atmosphere, the ramifications for our oceans is just as damaging ...
- World - What's happening to the most remote coral reefs on Earth?on March 1, 2021 at 6:07 pm
Scientists from the Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation have published their findings on the state of coral reefs in the Chagos Archipelago, considered the last frontier for coral reefs ...
- What’s Happening To The Most Remote Coral Reefs On Earth?on March 1, 2021 at 4:26 pm
Scientists from the Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation have published their findings on the state of coral reefs in the Chagos Archipelago, considered the last frontier for coral reefs. In the ...
- Life on the hidden doughnuts of the Great Barrier Reef is also threatened by climate changeon March 1, 2021 at 11:14 am
We are only just beginning to understand the importance of this deep and hidden area of the inter-reef that supports a rich diversity of marine life.
- The population sizes and global extinction risk of reef-building coral species at biogeographic scaleson March 1, 2021 at 11:09 am
Approximately half a trillion reef-building corals live across the Pacific Ocean, based on estimates of the population sizes of more than 300 species.
- Half a trillion corals: World-first coral count prompts rethink of extinction riskson March 1, 2021 at 9:02 am
For the first time, scientists have assessed how many corals there are in the Pacific Ocean—and evaluated their risk of extinction.
- Oahu marine protected areas offer limited protection of coral reef herbivorous fisheson February 26, 2021 at 10:56 pm
Marine protected areas (MPAs) around Oʻahu do not adequately protect populations of herbivorous reef fishes that eat algae on coral reefs. That is the primary conclusion of a study published in Coral ...
- Climate Change Threatens the Western Indian Ocean's Rich Coral Reefson February 26, 2021 at 7:14 pm
A great deal of academic literature exists on the Western Pacific’s “Coral Triangle,” detailing coral species diversity and distribution as well as bleaching effects caused by warm waters and climate ...
- What underwater sounds can tell us about the state of coral reefson February 26, 2021 at 11:14 am
Scientists are studying how the sound of an underwater ecosystem like a coral reef can reveal information about its health.
- Abundance of Life on Coral Reefs Has Been Puzzling Since Charles Darwin’s Day – New Research Provides Answerson February 25, 2021 at 1:52 pm
Study reveals open ocean waters once assumed to be unproductive are in fact teeming with an abundance of life on coral reefs. Since Charles Darwin's day, the abundance of life on coral reefs has been ...
The Latest Google Headlines on:
Coral reefs
The Latest Bing News on:
Coral reef decline
- Do It Yourself EcoFilm Feston March 1, 2021 at 10:55 am
By Jenny Noble Until this long and COVID-y winter is finally over, you are cordially invited to an environmental film festival located right here on your own couch. And since there are so many great ...
- Half a trillion corals: World-first coral count prompts rethink of extinction riskson March 1, 2021 at 9:02 am
For the first time, scientists have assessed how many corals there are in the Pacific Ocean—and evaluated their risk of extinction.
- Coral count rethinks extinction riskon March 1, 2021 at 7:00 am
The global extinction risk of most coral species is lower than previously estimated, scientists in North Queensland claim. In a world-first, researchers at ...
- Habitat and fisheries decline sparks calls for coastal recoveryon February 26, 2021 at 12:01 am
A new assessment reveals that carbon-rich seabed habitats are continuing to decline on the west coast of Scotland, prompting calls for urgent action by the Our Seas coalition.
- Abundance of Life on Coral Reefs Has Been Puzzling Since Charles Darwin’s Day – New Research Provides Answerson February 25, 2021 at 1:52 pm
Study reveals open ocean waters once assumed to be unproductive are in fact teeming with an abundance of life on coral reefs. Since Charles Darwin's day, the abundance of life on coral reefs has been ...
- The Truth About Artificial Reefson February 23, 2021 at 7:06 am
From the food species to the wondrous coral reefs, many of them are dying out. Good news? People are trying to fix it. That's where artificial reefs come in.
- Study: Coral Reef Predators Get Their Food From The Open Oceanon February 22, 2021 at 8:58 pm
Food webs anchored by coral reefs extend much farther into open waters than scientists previously thought. According to a new study, published Friday in the journal Science Advances, more than 70% of ...
- Some open ocean waters teeming with an abundance of lifeon February 21, 2021 at 4:00 pm
Since Charles Darwin's day, the abundance of life on coral reefs has been puzzling, given that most oceanic surface waters in the tropics are low in nutrients and unproductive. But now research has ...
- Coral reef predators get 70% of their energy from the open oceanon February 19, 2021 at 12:17 pm
Food webs anchored by coral reefs extend much farther into open waters than scientists previously thought. According to a new study, published Friday in the journal Science Advances, more than 70% of ...
- Study reveals energy sources supporting coral reef predatorson February 19, 2021 at 11:13 am
Since Charles Darwin's day, the abundance of life on coral reefs has been puzzling, given that most oceanic surface waters in the tropics are low in nutrients and unproductive.