Coral-bleaching responses to climate change across biological scales.
Authors
Grottoli, Andréa G
Vega Thurber, Rebecca
Warner, Mark E
Marie Hulver, Ann
McLachlan, Rowan H
Albright, Rebecca
Crandall, Eric
DeCarlo, Thomas M
Donovan, Mary K
Eirin-Lopez, Jose
Harrison, Hugo B
Heron, Scott F
Huang, Danwei
Humanes, Adriana
Madin, Joshua S
McManus, Lisa C
Rodriguez-Lanetty, Mauricio
Vega-Rodriguez, Maria
Zaneveld, Jesse
Publication Date
2022-07Journal Title
Glob Chang Biol
ISSN
1354-1013
Publisher
Wiley
Language
en
Type
Article
This Version
AO
VoR
Metadata
Show full item recordCitation
van Woesik, R., Shlesinger, T., Grottoli, A. G., Toonen, R. J., Vega Thurber, R., Warner, M. E., Marie Hulver, A., et al. (2022). Coral-bleaching responses to climate change across biological scales.. Glob Chang Biol https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.16192
Abstract
The global impacts of climate change are evident in every marine ecosystem. On coral reefs, mass coral bleaching and mortality have emerged as ubiquitous responses to ocean warming, yet one of the greatest challenges of this epiphenomenon is linking information across scientific disciplines and spatial and temporal scales. Here we review some of the seminal and recent coral-bleaching discoveries from an ecological, physiological, and molecular perspective. We also evaluate which data and processes can improve predictive models and provide a conceptual framework that integrates measurements across biological scales. Taking an integrative approach across biological and spatial scales, using for example hierarchical models to estimate major coral-reef processes, will not only rapidly advance coral-reef science but will also provide necessary information to guide decision-making and conservation efforts. To conserve reefs, we encourage implementing mesoscale sanctuaries (thousands of km2 ) that transcend national boundaries. Such networks of protected reefs will provide reef connectivity, through larval dispersal that transverse thermal environments, and genotypic repositories that may become essential units of selection for environmentally diverse locations. Together, multinational networks may be the best chance corals have to persist through climate change, while humanity struggles to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases to net zero.
Keywords
OPINION, climate change, conservation, coral bleaching, coral reefs, corals, global warming, mesoscale sanctuaries, networks, protected reefs, refugia, thermal stress
Sponsorship
Division of Ocean Sciences (OCE 1829393, OCE 1838667)
Identifiers
gcb16192
External DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.16192
This record's URL: https://www.repository.cam.ac.uk/handle/1810/336504
Rights
Licence:
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
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