In the news this week . . .

Last week saw the 2011 instalment of the ‘Greenhouse Conference’ series, held in Cairns, Australia. Organised by Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, the climate change focused conference covered a wide range of topics, including coral reefs. Speakers included Bronte Tilbrook, Ove Hoegh-Guldberg and Janice Lough who presented their findings from recent research projects. Tilbrook was speaking about the impact of ocean acidification on the Great Barrier Reef, with his research finding that the level of calcium carbonate was below the optimum level for coral reef growth. Although coral reefs appear to be growing, it is suggested that conditions in the Great Barrier Reef are not far from reaching a critical point, the full story was reported in the New Scientist. Hoegh-Guldberg told the conference that the future of the Great Barrier Reef would be determined in the next ten years, by then they will have reached a tipping point if anthropogenic degradation continues. A report on his comments can be viewed here. Janice Lough  spoke about the use of coral reefs to reconstruct past climate change. You can listen to an interview with her on Pacific Beat, courtesy of Radio Australia, talking about her research and the benefits of it. 




The benefits of assessing past coral reef response to climate change has been reinforced by a study led by James Klaus from the University of Miami. The study aims to determine the structure and function of these ecosystems during the Pliocene epoch, in order to assess how present day climate change will affect coral reefs. The findings suggest that modern day coral reefs are very different from Pliocene coral communities, as they were predominantly free living corals that were not attached to the sea floor. These species were adapted to higher sea temperatures and nutrient rich water, indicating the possible coral reef community of the future. The article was published in April’s edition of Geology. 




A ‘stress test’ has been developed by researchers from the Wildlife Conservation Society. The model aims to identify the coral reefs ecosystems that are most likely to adapt to climate change. It is hoped that by prioritising these regions then conservation and management projects will be more effective.




A project run by the Living Oceans Foundation aims to map shallow reef ecosystems around the world in order to develop an effective tool for managers. Over the next five years the team will identify shallow marine habitats, characterise the organisms that live there and develop an understanding of the key processes and interactions. It is hoped that the maps developed will aid effective management, and assist with modelling exercises. The full story can be viewed here.