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May 27, 2021
from Arizona State University
Australian researchers recently reported a sharp decline in coral abundance along the Great Barrier Reef. Scientists are observing similar declines in coral colonies around the world, including reefs off Hawaii, the Florida Keys, and the Indo-Pacific region.
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The widespread decline is caused in part by climate-induced heat waves that warm the world’s oceans and lead to what is known as coral bleaching, the breakdown of the mutually beneficial relationship between corals and resident algae.
But other factors as well including pollution and overfishing, are contributing to coral reef decline.
According to a new study, « Local Conditions Increase Coral Loss After Marine Heat Waves, » published in Science, is key to survival from climatic heat waves and their aftermath Bleach the Management of Global Climate Change – and Local Conditions.
« We found a strong signal that local conditions affect post-heat stress results for corals, » said Mary Donovan, lead study author and assistant professor at the School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning of the Arizona State University.
« Although some have argued that climate change is so overwhelming that coral reef conservation at the local level is pointless, our study found that local effects on coral reefs amplify the effects of climate-induced heat waves, » Donovan said . « This suggests that local coral reef conservation measures can help the reefs withstand the effects of climate change. »
The importance of local conditions to reef survival is often denied, so those who do relying on coral reefs for a living, or those who are reef stewards feel hopeless. Coral reefs are fundamental, however.
« Coral reefs are fundamental to biodiversity, » said Donovan, who is also a member of the ASU Center for Global Discovery and Conservation Science.
Two local issues that Nutrient pollution and overfishing can have a major impact on coral reef health. Overfishing reduces the number of fish that eat algae and keep the reef ecosystem in balance. For example, reducing the number of herbivorous fish can lead to an overabundance of macroalgae, which may indicate a stressed ecosystem.
Meanwhile, land nutrient pollution threatens, including runoff from golf courses, agriculture and urban development along the coast, reefs significantly.
However, both overfishing and pollution provide opportunities for management strategies that could increase coral reefs’ resistance to climate change.
The study data was commissioned by professional scientists as well as trained and certified community scientists worldwide Collected by Reef Check. Only data collected during and within a year of a climate-related bleaching event were analyzed to determine the health of the reef. Donovan is now applying this research to local efforts to address conditions that harm reefs.
« Coral reefs occupy some of the smallest areas on our planet, but are home to most of the species of all ecosystems on earth and are also available to humans incredibly important. People all over the world rely on reefs for food security and coastal protection from storms and for other livelihoods. In many parts of the world, it’s not just about beauty, but also about survival. »
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