Coral Reefs Under Rapid

Climate Change and Ocean

Acidification
O. Hoegh-Guldberg, P. J. Mumby, A. J. Hooten, R. S. Steneck, P. Greenfield, E.
Gomez, C. D. Harvell, P. F. Sale, A. J. Edwards, K. Caldeira, N. Knowlton, C. M.
Eakin, R. Iglesias-Prieto, N. Muthiga, R. H. Bradbury,15 A. Dubi, M. E. Hatziolos
Importance of coral reefs
• fisheries
• coastal protection
• new biochemical
compounds
• tourism
Increase in the [CO2]atm resulted in:

• inc. temperature by 0.74°C

• inc. Sea level by 17 cm
• dec. [CO32-] by ~30 mmol/kg
• dec. seawater acidity by 0.1 pH
Effects of ocean acidification to carbonate
accretion of coral reefs:

Aragonite saturation Carbonate accretion

on coral reefs

≤ 3.3 Approaches zero or

negative value

> 3.3 positive

Responses to reduced calcification
• decreased linear extension rate
• reduced skeletal density
• reduce larval output from reefs and impair the
potential for recolonization
 Local threats to coral reefs
• Deterioration of water quality
• Overexploitation of marine fishery stocks
Coral Reef Scenario A
• Remained to be coral
dominated
• change in composition →
thermally tolerant corals
Coral Reef Scenario B
• Decrease in coral density
and diversity
• Increase in disease
incidence
Coral Reef Scenario C
• Dominated by macroalgae
• slow or nonexsistent reef
growth → “drowned” reefs
Socioeconomic impacts of coral reef decline
Fisheries
•Decrease in the density of reef fish

Tourism
• Decrease attractiveness of coral reefs to tourists

Coastal protection
• Increase rate of coastal erosion
• People, infrastructure, and lagoon and estuarine
ecosystems will become more vulnerable to waves
and storms
 Management Intervention
• Reduce the influence of local stressors
• Mass culture of corals (resistant varieties of
key organisms)
• Facilitate grazing by fish and invertebrate
herbivores