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
- Climate change, pollution threat Persian Gulf coral reefson April 28, 2024 at 1:18 am
The Persian Gulf’s unique marine habitat is home to about eight percent of the world's coral reefs with more than 50 species, however, climate change, global warming, and pollution are pushing them ...
- The end of coral reefs as we know themon April 26, 2024 at 4:15 am
Marine biologist Anne Hoggett swims above bleached and dead coral on the Great Barrier Reef in April 2024. David Gray/AFP via Getty Images Tourists snorkel above a section of the Great Barrier ...
- Technology and data initiatives aim to preserve the world’s declining coral reefson April 26, 2024 at 1:38 am
Coral reefs have been described as the “rainforests of the ocean”. Which is why these two initiatives to try and preserve them are so important.
- A coral-bleaching event is devastating reefs globally − threatening tiny creatures whose beauty and biology have shaped human cultures for centurieson April 25, 2024 at 10:02 am
Coral’s biological uniqueness and central role in sustaining other forms of life, including humans, are reasons enough to preserve it. And scientists are making extraordinary efforts, such as ...
- It’s One of the Last Pristine Coral Reefs on Earth. Should We Be Visiting It?on April 24, 2024 at 12:15 pm
The Raja Ampat archipelago of Indonesia looms large in the imaginations of underwater adventurers. But by visiting its relatively untouched reefs are we protecting them—or threatening them?
- Culling predatory starfish conserves coral on the Great Barrier Reefon April 24, 2024 at 11:00 am
Targeted culling of crown-of-thorns starfish has resulted in parts of the Great Barrier Reef maintaining and even increasing coral cover, leading researchers to call for the programme to be dramatical ...
- More than coral: The unseen casualties of record-breaking heat on the Great Barrier Reefon April 22, 2024 at 8:38 am
In past bleaching events on the Great Barrier Reef, the southern region has sometimes been spared worst of the bleaching. Not this time. This year's intense underwater heat has triggered the most ...
- These coral reefs suffered major damage. Watch how restoration efforts helped bring them backon April 19, 2024 at 10:57 am
Coral reefs offer crucial habitat for marine creatures and protection for coastal communities, but face a long list of threats due to human activity. One restoration project in Indonesia demonstrates ...
- UN envoy says of the threat to coral reefs: 'Are we faced with a colossal ecosystem tragedy? Yes'on April 16, 2024 at 11:07 am
ATHENS, Greece -- The world is not doing enough to protect coral reefs, the United Nations’ special envoy for the ocean said Tuesday in defense of the marine ecosystems that protect biodiversity, ...
- Most coral reef areas experienced bleaching in past year: Researchon April 15, 2024 at 12:34 pm
Coral reefs around the globe experienced a mass bleaching event in the past year as the ocean continues to heat, according to new research. Mass bleaching has been reported in coral reefs in at ...
The Latest Google Headlines on:
Coral reefs
[google_news title=”” keyword=”Coral reefs” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
The Latest Bing News on:
Coral reef decline
- Corals bred in a zoo have joined Europe's largest reef, offering scientists hopeon April 26, 2024 at 3:21 am
A lab in a Dutch zoo has presented special corals that bred themselves and nestled them in Europe's largest coral reef ...
- Technology and data initiatives aim to preserve the world’s declining coral reefson April 26, 2024 at 1:38 am
Coral reefs have been described as the “rainforests of the ocean”. Which is why these two initiatives to try and preserve them are so important.
- Coral reef survey highlights urgency for ocean conservationon April 24, 2024 at 12:20 pm
As part of the survey, divers studied coral reef habitats at 272 locations across Fiji. Permanent Secretary for Environment Dr. Sivendra Michael says the findings reveal a decline in coral health and ...
- Respiratory stress response that stunts temperate fish also affects coral reef fishon April 18, 2024 at 1:07 pm
Coral reef fish, like the fish in other marine and freshwater ecosystems, are likely to reach smaller maximum sizes and start reproducing earlier with smaller and fewer eggs as climate change ...
- WHAT IS THE FUTURE FOR ARTIFICIAL REEFS? SANCTUARY ADVISORY COUNCIL BLENDS OPTIMISM AND CAUTIONon April 18, 2024 at 8:56 am
An outline of the future for Monroe County’s artificial reef program was met with a mixture of anticipation, caution and debate at the April 16 meeting of the Florida Keys ...
- Coral Reefs Are Heading Toward the Worst Global Mass Bleaching on Recordon April 17, 2024 at 4:05 am
According to U.S. government scientists, coral reefs are approaching a fourth global mass bleaching event caused by global heating. The occurrence is expected "to be the most extensive on record," ...
- Coral reef microbes point to new way to assess ecosystem healthon April 16, 2024 at 5:01 pm
A new study shows that ocean acidification is changing the mix of microbes in coral reef systems, which can be used to assess ecosystem health.
- Coral reefs suffer fourth global bleaching event, NOAA sayson April 16, 2024 at 9:24 am
Along coastlines from Australia to Kenya to Mexico, many of the world's colorful coral reefs have turned a ghostly white in what scientists said on Monday amounted to the fourth global bleaching event ...
- Most coral reef areas experienced bleaching in past year: Researchon April 16, 2024 at 7:33 am
Coral reefs around the globe experienced a mass bleaching event in the past year as the ocean continues to heat, according to new research.
- The world's coral reefs are bleaching. What does that mean?on April 15, 2024 at 11:16 pm
Along coastlines from Australia to Kenya to Mexico, many of the world's colourful coral reefs have turned a ghostly white in what scientists said on Monday (Apr 15) amounted to the fourth glo ...
The Latest Google Headlines on:
Coral reef decline
[google_news title=”” keyword=”coral reef decline” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
