Skip to main content
WCS
Menu
Library
Library Catalog
eJournals & eBooks
WCS Research
Archives
Research Use
Finding Aids
Digital Collections
WCS History
WCS Research
Research Publications
Science Data
Services for WCS Researchers
Archives Shop
Bronx Zoo
Department of Tropical Research
Browse By Product
About Us
FAQs
Intern or Volunteer
Staff
Donate
Search WCS.org
Search
search
Popular Search Terms
WCS History
Library and Archives
Library and Archives Menu
Library
Archives
WCS Research
Archives Shop
About Us
Donate
en
fr
Title
Coral reefs under rapid climate change and ocean acidification
Author(s)
Hoegh-Guldberg, O; Mumby, PJ; Hooten, AJ; Steneck, RS; Greenfield, P; Gomez, E; Harvell, CD; Sale, PF; Edwards, AJ; Caldeira, K; Knowlton, N; Eakin, CM; Iglesias-Prieto, R; Muthiga, N; Bradbury, RH; Dubi, A; Hatziolos, ME
Published
2007
Publisher
Science
Published Version DOI
https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1152509
Abstract
Atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration is expected to exceed 500 parts per million and global temperatures to rise by at least 2 degrees C by 2050 to 2100, values that significantly exceed those of at least the past 420,000 years during which most extant marine organisms evolved. Under conditions expected in the 21st century, global warming and ocean acidification will compromise carbonate accretion, with corals becoming increasingly rare on reef systems. The result will be less diverse reef communities and carbonate reef structures that fail to be maintained. Climate change also exacerbates local stresses from declining water quality and overexploitation of key species, driving reefs increasingly toward the tipping point for functional collapse. This review presents future scenarios for coral reefs that predict increasingly serious consequences for reef- associated fisheries, tourism, coastal protection, and people. As the International Year of the Reef 2008 begins, scaled- up management intervention and decisive action on global emissions are required if the loss of coral- dominated ecosystems is to be avoided.
Keywords
ATMOSPHERIC CO2; GLACIAL CYCLES; MARINE; DYNAMICS; ECOLOGY; DISTURBANCES; RECRUITMENT; THRESHOLDS; RESILIENCE; INTENSITY
Access Full Text
A full-text copy of this article may be available. Please email the
WCS Library
to request.
Back
PUB10649