Incredible shrinking reef
The Townsville Bulletin
DANIEL BATEMAN
07Jan08
THE Great Barrier Reef is shrinking and there could be nothing left but a slimy underwater forest of algae within 90 years, a scientist has warned.
The Australian Institute of Marine Science and James Cook University's Dr Eric Wolanski has created a frightening picture of what the reef is likely to look like by the year 2100.
His study was based on past and future averaged coral cover on the Great Barrier Reef between Lizard Island and Bowen.
Using physics and historic coral reef cover data, Dr Wolanski suggests the reef has been steadily shrinking since European settlement of Australia.
The main cause of this has been mud and chemicals washed onto the reef from farms, which has choked the coral, cutting it off from sunlight.
It has been shrinking at a rate of about 20 per cent every 100 years.
Dr Wolanski said the reef would continue to die off unless better land management controls were brought in.
"If we run our model forward, we see a steady decrease in the health of the reef," Dr Wolanski said.
"If you look at the reef cover, it's turning into slime, into algae.
"The picture we're seeing is we had about 65 per cent coral cover 100 years ago.
"We are now in the mid-40s. By 2050 we are in the mid-30s and in 2100 we are left with less than 10 per cent.
"We can recover about one-third of this loss if we cut the outflow of mud and nutrients by half from farms and cattle."
Last year the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released a report which warned that the Barrier Reef would be `functionally extinct' within decades.
The report stated coral bleaching of the Barrier Reef was likely to become an annual event by 2030 because of warmer, more acidic seas.
Dr Wolanski said if the IPCC's prediction was accurate, it would not matter what action was taken.
"We won't have anything left," he said.
"Right now the problem is a land-use problem which we can correct and recover some of the losses if we take more care of the land.
"It is a much bigger issue than other global issues, otherwise we will be left with only an algal mat."
The coral reef around Dunk Island was one of the sites Dr Wolanski considered.
During February last year it was blanketed by mud for close to two weeks, he said.
Dr Wolanski described the existing reefs as representative of what the entire Barrier Reef would look like within the next 90 years.
"If you dive under the sea there you can see the shape of the old reef, but now it's all dead," he said.
"It's quite clear that the cause of this has been carried from the land."
Link to the article
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
More news...
Indigenous reef agreement to allow Keppel Islands hunting
Abridged from ABC News Online
Full text: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/12/11/2115488.htm
A central Queensland Indigenous group says hunting is just a small part of a new agreement with the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority. The agreement allows traditional hunting and fishing around the Keppel Islands. But Bob Muir from the Woppaburra people says Indigenous people will also be involved with research and monitoring of marine life. Mr Muir says hunting rights will be restricted.
Coral reef sustainability on forum agenda
Full text: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/12/10/2113873.htm
The University of Queensland is hosting an international forum this week to develop policies to sustain the world's coral reefs. The forum, which is sponsored by the Coral Reef Targeted Research Program, is expected to attract leading scientists and more than 50 postgraduate and postdoctoral students from 20 countries.
Corals could resist climate change: study
Abridged from ABC News Online,
Full text: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/12/08/2113347.htm
Research scientists are looking at whether coral reefs may be able to develop mechanisms to better cope with the effects of climate change. The joint study has been carried out by scientists from Queen's University in Canada and the Australian Institute of Marine Science. Principal research scientist with the institute, Julian Caley, says they have developed a new theoretical model that suggests there is nothing to prevent corals evolving greater resistance to warm water bleaching.
New theory of corals’ ability to adapt to climate change
Abridged from: AIMS Media Release
Full text: http://www.aims.gov.au/news/pages/media-release-20071204.html
A new paper, investigates the potential for corals to evolve greater resistance to bleaching. The joint study, carried out by scientists from Queen’s University in Canada and the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) presents a new way of examining how coral reefs may respond to climate change.
Gastro cameras make waves for reef research
Abridged from: UQ media Release
Full text: http://www.uq.edu.au/news/index.html?article=13588
Italian and Queensland scientists are putting military and industrial technology underwater to improve reef research and revolutionise marine data collection. They are building plug-and-play electronic sensor pods — energy efficient scientific monitors about the size of two matchboxes, that can receive directions and transmit environmental data from the seabed to the air via radio signals.
Reef holds drug key to fight against diseases
Abridged from Courier-Mail,
Full text: http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,22850997-3102,00..html
An underwater treasure trove of new species found off the Queensland coast could hold the key to miracle cures for hundreds of diseases. Researchers on the Great Barrier Reef have found at least 500 new types of marine sponges, which produce chemicals that have already led to breakthroughs in fighting diseases such as AIDS. But the clock is ticking to derive medicines from the sponges, as climate change and nutrient runoff from farmland threaten the future of the Reef.
News submitted by Chris Tola, Chair, Surfrider Australia
Abridged from ABC News Online
Full text: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/12/11/2115488.htm
A central Queensland Indigenous group says hunting is just a small part of a new agreement with the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority. The agreement allows traditional hunting and fishing around the Keppel Islands. But Bob Muir from the Woppaburra people says Indigenous people will also be involved with research and monitoring of marine life. Mr Muir says hunting rights will be restricted.
Coral reef sustainability on forum agenda
Full text: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/12/10/2113873.htm
The University of Queensland is hosting an international forum this week to develop policies to sustain the world's coral reefs. The forum, which is sponsored by the Coral Reef Targeted Research Program, is expected to attract leading scientists and more than 50 postgraduate and postdoctoral students from 20 countries.
Corals could resist climate change: study
Abridged from ABC News Online,
Full text: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/12/08/2113347.htm
Research scientists are looking at whether coral reefs may be able to develop mechanisms to better cope with the effects of climate change. The joint study has been carried out by scientists from Queen's University in Canada and the Australian Institute of Marine Science. Principal research scientist with the institute, Julian Caley, says they have developed a new theoretical model that suggests there is nothing to prevent corals evolving greater resistance to warm water bleaching.
New theory of corals’ ability to adapt to climate change
Abridged from: AIMS Media Release
Full text: http://www.aims.gov.au/news/pages/media-release-20071204.html
A new paper, investigates the potential for corals to evolve greater resistance to bleaching. The joint study, carried out by scientists from Queen’s University in Canada and the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) presents a new way of examining how coral reefs may respond to climate change.
Gastro cameras make waves for reef research
Abridged from: UQ media Release
Full text: http://www.uq.edu.au/news/index.html?article=13588
Italian and Queensland scientists are putting military and industrial technology underwater to improve reef research and revolutionise marine data collection. They are building plug-and-play electronic sensor pods — energy efficient scientific monitors about the size of two matchboxes, that can receive directions and transmit environmental data from the seabed to the air via radio signals.
Reef holds drug key to fight against diseases
Abridged from Courier-Mail,
Full text: http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,22850997-3102,00..html
An underwater treasure trove of new species found off the Queensland coast could hold the key to miracle cures for hundreds of diseases. Researchers on the Great Barrier Reef have found at least 500 new types of marine sponges, which produce chemicals that have already led to breakthroughs in fighting diseases such as AIDS. But the clock is ticking to derive medicines from the sponges, as climate change and nutrient runoff from farmland threaten the future of the Reef.
News submitted by Chris Tola, Chair, Surfrider Australia
CO2 and Reefs - A bad combination
Reefs doomed if CO2 rises
Monday, 17 December 2007
University of Queensland
This montage shows how the world’s coral reefs
will look in future years if CO2 emissions
continue to rise.
Eminent coral scientists have given world leaders in Bali more reason to act urgently against climate change, by producing a new report that warns coral reefs will disappear within decades if atmospheric CO2 levels continue to rise.
Their paper, published 14 December 2007 in the prestigious Science magazine, is the most compelling scientific case yet that unchecked global warming will be a disaster for coral reefs and the 100 million people and one million species depending on them.
CO2 concentration in the earth's atmosphere is currently 380 parts per million (ppm) but the authors say if future emissions exceed 450ppm we risk losing reefs.
“This is a very ambitious target and should represent yet another reality check for world leaders meeting in Bali,” lead author UQ Professor Ove Hoegh-Guldberg said.
Reducing CO2 emissions must also be accompanied by reducing reef risks such as overfishing, pollution and unsustainable coastal developments, a cross-section of the report's authors (all of whom are members of the Coral Reef Targeted Research and Capacity Building for Management Program, CRTR) said at UQ.
Tools to reduce stress on coral reefs already exist, and include: increased protection of river catchment and coastal areas; co-management arrangements between governments and local communities; improved catchment, water quality and environmental flow measures; fishing regulation enforcement; restoration of reefs and coastal vegetation; and sustainable tourism.
The study has found serious consequences follow on from even small increases in CO2.
“The warmer and more acidic oceans caused by the rise of CO2 from the burning of fossil fuels threaten to destroy coral dominated reef ecosystems, exposing people to flooding, coastal erosion and the loss of food and income from reef-based fisheries and tourism,” Professor Hoegh-Guldberg said.
“This is happening just when many nations are hoping that growing industries like tourism and fisheries will allow them to develop beyond theiroften impoverished state.
“Increased CO2 not only warms the climate but also dissolves in sea water making it more acidic.
“This, in turn, decreases the ability of corals to produce calcium carbonate, which is what the all-important framework of coral reefs is made of.”
The study used information built up over the past decade to project how reefs will look if emissions are or are not controlled.
"It is a sobering thought that we have used the lower range of the United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) scenarios in our analysis yet still envisage serious if not devastating ramifications forcoral-dominated reefs.
“Emission pathways that include higher CO2 (600 to 1000ppm) and global temperatures of 3°to 6°C defy consideration as credible alternatives,” the report said.
Next generation reef scientists and managers have been meeting at UQ this week for an international forum to develop policies to sustain the world's coral reefs.
More than 50 postgraduate and postdoctoral students from 20 countries have attended.
“These future leaders in coral reef science have honed their leadership skills and discovered how to grow their influence among those networks which manage and set policy for coral reefs worldwide,” UQ Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor and paper co-author Professor Paul Greenfield said.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Editor's Note: Original news release can be found here.
News submitted by Chris Tola, Chair, Surfrider Australia
Monday, 17 December 2007
University of Queensland
This montage shows how the world’s coral reefs
will look in future years if CO2 emissions
continue to rise.
Eminent coral scientists have given world leaders in Bali more reason to act urgently against climate change, by producing a new report that warns coral reefs will disappear within decades if atmospheric CO2 levels continue to rise.
Their paper, published 14 December 2007 in the prestigious Science magazine, is the most compelling scientific case yet that unchecked global warming will be a disaster for coral reefs and the 100 million people and one million species depending on them.
CO2 concentration in the earth's atmosphere is currently 380 parts per million (ppm) but the authors say if future emissions exceed 450ppm we risk losing reefs.
“This is a very ambitious target and should represent yet another reality check for world leaders meeting in Bali,” lead author UQ Professor Ove Hoegh-Guldberg said.
Reducing CO2 emissions must also be accompanied by reducing reef risks such as overfishing, pollution and unsustainable coastal developments, a cross-section of the report's authors (all of whom are members of the Coral Reef Targeted Research and Capacity Building for Management Program, CRTR) said at UQ.
Tools to reduce stress on coral reefs already exist, and include: increased protection of river catchment and coastal areas; co-management arrangements between governments and local communities; improved catchment, water quality and environmental flow measures; fishing regulation enforcement; restoration of reefs and coastal vegetation; and sustainable tourism.
The study has found serious consequences follow on from even small increases in CO2.
“The warmer and more acidic oceans caused by the rise of CO2 from the burning of fossil fuels threaten to destroy coral dominated reef ecosystems, exposing people to flooding, coastal erosion and the loss of food and income from reef-based fisheries and tourism,” Professor Hoegh-Guldberg said.
“This is happening just when many nations are hoping that growing industries like tourism and fisheries will allow them to develop beyond theiroften impoverished state.
“Increased CO2 not only warms the climate but also dissolves in sea water making it more acidic.
“This, in turn, decreases the ability of corals to produce calcium carbonate, which is what the all-important framework of coral reefs is made of.”
The study used information built up over the past decade to project how reefs will look if emissions are or are not controlled.
"It is a sobering thought that we have used the lower range of the United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) scenarios in our analysis yet still envisage serious if not devastating ramifications forcoral-dominated reefs.
“Emission pathways that include higher CO2 (600 to 1000ppm) and global temperatures of 3°to 6°C defy consideration as credible alternatives,” the report said.
Next generation reef scientists and managers have been meeting at UQ this week for an international forum to develop policies to sustain the world's coral reefs.
More than 50 postgraduate and postdoctoral students from 20 countries have attended.
“These future leaders in coral reef science have honed their leadership skills and discovered how to grow their influence among those networks which manage and set policy for coral reefs worldwide,” UQ Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor and paper co-author Professor Paul Greenfield said.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Editor's Note: Original news release can be found here.
News submitted by Chris Tola, Chair, Surfrider Australia
Save the Dates!
10-14 December 2007. First meeting of the Coral Reef Targeted Research and Capacity Building (CRTR) Program at the University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. For more information, please see http://www.gefcoral.org/
2-7 March 2008. The 2008 Ocean Sciences Meeting in Orlando, Florida, USA. For more information, please see http://www.aslo.org/orlando2008/
7-11 April 2008. The 4th Global Conference in Oceans, Coasts, and Islands in Hanoi, Vietnam. For more information, please see http://www.globaloceans.org/globalconferences/2008/index.html
7-11 July 2008. The 11th International Coral Reef Symposium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA. For more information please see: http://www.nova.edu/ncri/11icrs
1-5 December 2008. The 4th International Symposium on Deep Sea Corals in Wellington, New Zealand. For more information, please see http://coral2008.niwa.co.nz/index.php
News courtesy of Chris Tola, Chair, Surfrider Australia
2-7 March 2008. The 2008 Ocean Sciences Meeting in Orlando, Florida, USA. For more information, please see http://www.aslo.org/orlando2008/
7-11 April 2008. The 4th Global Conference in Oceans, Coasts, and Islands in Hanoi, Vietnam. For more information, please see http://www.globaloceans.org/globalconferences/2008/index.html
7-11 July 2008. The 11th International Coral Reef Symposium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA. For more information please see: http://www.nova.edu/ncri/11icrs
1-5 December 2008. The 4th International Symposium on Deep Sea Corals in Wellington, New Zealand. For more information, please see http://coral2008.niwa.co.nz/index.php
News courtesy of Chris Tola, Chair, Surfrider Australia
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)