Coral reefs and climate change

Abstract

Rising sea temperatures and declining carbonate concentrations pose existential threats to reefs globally. Spikes in sea temperature result in widespread coral bleaching, with one event in 1998 estimated to have killed 16 % of corals and bleaching is expected to increase as the oceans warm further. Increasing CO2 concentrations in the oceans are associated with declining alkalinity and carbonate concentrations that will impair the ability of corals and other fauna to secrete CaCO3 skeletons. Other climate related threats to coral reefs result from increased storm frequency and intensity and rising sea levels. All of these may be exacerbated by anthropogenic impacts unrelated to climate, such as pollution and overfishing.