New Model Predicts Where Corals Can Thrive

[Karl]

Full Article (Science Daily - April 16, 2008): New Model Predicts Where Corals Can Thrive

The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and the International Institute for Geo-Information Science and Earth have developed a new scientific model that accurately maps where coral reefs are in the most trouble and identifies regions where reefs can be protected best. The model, which is being applied in areas throughout the Indian Ocean, is described in a recent issue of the journal Ecological Modelling.

The model synthesizes several ocean conditions, such as seawater temperatures, photosynthetic and ultraviolet light, winds and currents, and the concentration of microscopic plankton on the ocean's surface. These data were factored into previous reports of coral stress or bleaching and were then used to map the distribution of these inhospitable conditions.

Corals have been devastated in large areas across the world. Disappearing at rates up to 5.4 percent per year over the past 30 years, they are among the earliest victims of climate change. Bleaching, which climate change exacerbates, occurs when corals become so stressed that they eject the beneficial algae that give them their color. This eventually causes large sections of the reefs to lose much of their biodiversity.

[sparky]

I don't know much about this issue I have to say, is coral destruction a matter of not understanding it well enough or just political ignorance?

[sparky]

Speaking of corals though there's a pretty cool article here.

BBC NEWS | Science/Nature | Catching corals' spectacular moment

The coral reefs in the tropical western Pacific are at the brink of one of the most spectacular and significant nights in their annual life cycle.