Coral Reefs and Climate Change
Importance of Coral Reefs
- Spectacular ecosystems found in nature
- Hosts to numerous biological communities
- Important havens of biodiversity
- Valuable food source for over 500 million people
Impact of Climate Change on Coral Reefs
- Warming oceans lead to heat stress in coral communities
- Corals may expel symbiotic algae in a process called bleaching
- Repeated or prolonged bleaching can lead to death of coral colonies
Research by Marine Biologist Steve Palumi
- Studies coral response to heat stress due to warming oceans
- Conducts fieldwork on Ofu Island, Samoa
- Ofu Island lagoons heat up to 32-34°C, above typical bleaching temperatures
Experiment on Heat Stress Resistance
- Controlled experiments to apply heat stress in lab settings
- Standardized stress tanks used for controlled exposure
- Corals from warmer and cooler pools tested for bleaching resistance
Findings from the Experiments
- Corals from warmer pools show more resistance to bleaching
- Transplanted corals from cooler to warmer pools develop increased resistance
- Heat tolerance linked to specific heat tolerance genes
Acclamation and Adaptation
- Corals can change heat tolerance over time
- Combination of genetic adaptation and environmental acclamation enhances resistance
Reef Restoration Project
- Experiment led by Palumi and graduate student Megan Morawa
- Aims to restore reefs damaged by hurricanes and other stresses
- Tests if corals from warmer areas transplant better than those from cooler areas
- Initial project conducted at a reef called Cely
Real-world Application and Research Bridging
- Aims to bridge research with real-world application
- Importance of management agencies and local support
Importance of Global Awareness
- Global recognition of coral reefs' productivity and ecological importance
- Attention akin to that of tropical rainforests
- Global willpower and attention could be key to saving ecosystems
These notes provide a comprehensive overview of the lecture, highlighting the key aspects of coral reefs in the context of climate change, and focusing on ongoing research and restoration efforts.