coral-reefs | GarryRogers Nature Conservation

Global Warming and Coral Reefs

Scientists have identified which parts of the Great Barrier Reef and other reefs are most capable of recovering from mass bleaching events which will become more frequent due to global warming. The information should help conservationists to target their efforts to protect the portions of reefs that are most capable of survival, they say. Previous studies have shown coral reefs as they exist today will be largely wiped out by climate change in the long term, but the new work by an Australian team shows for the first time which reefs in the short term can be expected to bounce back from bleaching events (Source: The Guardian, Environment).

GR: The whole idea that we might save parts of Earth’s natural ecosystems from global warming is troubling. The fundamental principles of island biogeography predict that smaller areas loose species more quickly than large areas. If we try to preserve patches of reefs, deserts, and forests that we deem most resistant to global warming, are we just prolonging the collapse. Wouldn’t it be smarter to spend our energy on stopping global warming?

GR: This post describes other threats to coral reefs beside increasing acidification. The story includes an opportunity for citizen naturalists to help save Caribbean reefs.

By Jensi Sartin

“Beautiful Caribbean reefs have been a tourist attraction for decades, if not centuries. They teem with life, holding an amazing variety of fantastical fish and other sea creatures. But at the current rate, Caribbean reefs will be lost within 20 years. Worse, the damage is largely the result of our own actions.

“This dire news comes from the Status and Trends of Caribbean Coral Reefs: 1970-2012, an extensive report from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The report explains that the direct threats from overfishing and land-based pollution are combining dramatically with the longer term effects of climate change to destroy a vital natural resource that lies just a short flight from the United States.

“IUCN used data from 35,000 surveys conducted at 90 Caribbean locations since 1970, and showed that reefs have declined by more than 50% since the 1970s. Its stark conclusion should give us all pause and another last chance to reflect back on whether our strategies to save our reefs are still effective—or a priority.”