Finally, some good news about the prospects of coral reefs in the age of climate change. According to a new study by the Wildlife Conservation Society, corals may actually survive rising ocean temperatures in tough love seas with wide-ranging temperatures.
Researchers discovered that coral reefs in sites with varying seasonal temperatures are more likely to survive the hot pulses of Climate Change. Conversely, reefs living in environments with stable but higher temperatures are more susceptible to bleaching, a global phenomenon where beneficial algae are evicted by corals, ultimately leading to the reefs demise.
The study, which appears in the latest edition of the journal Ecological Monographs, presents the results of an 8-year study on the reefs of East Africa.
This finding is a ray of hope in a growing sea of coral bleaching events and threatened marine wildlife, said Dr. Tim McClanahan, Senior Scientist working for WCS Coral Reef Programs and lead author of the study. With rising surface temperatures threatening reef systems globally, these sites serve as high diversity refuges for corals trying to survive.
Coral reefs are composed of tiny creatures that live in colonies in mostly tropical and subtropical waters. Corals are home to beneficial algae, which gives reefs their stunning colors. During prolonged, unusually high surface temperatures, many coral species bleach, discharging the algae and leaving the reefs white and sickly.
The study examined temperature variations and coral bleaching events off the coast of East Africa between the years of 1998 and 2005.
The researchers also discovered that the coral reefs in sites with the most temperature variation were in the shadow of islands, protected from the oceanic currents that reduce temperature variations in reef ecosystems. According to the authors of the study, the results suggest that corals in these locations are better adapted to environ
'/>"/>
| Contact: John Delaney jdelaney@wcs.org 718-220-3275 Wildlife Conservation Society Source:Eurekalert |
Related biology news :
1. Buying and selling habitats to help wildlife
2. New population of Iberian lynx raises hope, says World Wildlife Fund
3. $2.8 million for research into the impact of climate change on tundra wildlife
4. Tropical insects go the distance to inform rainforest conservation
5. Springer will publish Journal of Coastal Conservation
6. Conservation International and Toyota partner to protect Philippines rain forests
7. Why conservation efforts often fail
8. The conservation lens
9. Soil, conservation experts to reflect on Hurricane Katrina disaster
10. The importance of mangrove conservation in tsunami prone regions
11. Great Ape Trust awards $127,000 for international conservation efforts
 |
| Copyright © 2003-2012 Bio-Medicine. All rights reserved. ABOUT | CONTACT US | DISCLAIMER | PRIVACY POLICY | TERMS AND CONDITIONS |  |