Interdependency of tropical marine ecosystems in response to climate change

M I Saunders; Javier X Leon; D P Callaghan; C M Roelfsema; S Hamylton; C J Brown; T Baldock; A Golshani; S R Phinn; C E Lovelock; O Hoegh-Guldberg; C D Woodroffe; P J Mumby

doi:10.1038/nclimate2274

Back

Interdependency of tropical marine ecosystems in response to climate change

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Interdependency of tropical marine ecosystems in response to climate change

M I Saunders, Javier X Leon, D P Callaghan, C M Roelfsema, S Hamylton, C J Brown, T Baldock, A Golshani, S R Phinn, C E Lovelock, …

Nature Climate Change, Vol.4(8), pp.724-729

2014

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nclimate2274

Files and links (1)

url

https://doi.org/10.1038/nclimate2274View

Published Version

Abstract

climate-change ecology

ecological modelling

ecosystem ecology

physical oceanography

Ecosystems are linked within landscapes by the physical and biological processes they mediate. In such connected landscapes, the response of one ecosystem to climate change could have profound consequences for neighbouring systems. Here, we report the first quantitative predictions of interdependencies between ecosystems in response to climate change. In shallow tropical marine ecosystems, coral reefs shelter lagoons from incoming waves, allowing seagrass meadows to thrive. Deepening water over coral reefs from sea-level rise results in larger, more energetic waves traversing the reef into the lagoon, potentially generating hostile conditions for seagrass. However, growth of coral reef such that the relative water depth is maintained could mitigate negative effects of sea-level rise on seagrass. Parameterizing physical and biological models for Lizard Island, Great Barrier Reef, Australia, we find negative effects of sea-level rise on seagrass before the middle of this century given reasonable rates of reef growth. Rates of vertical carbonate accretion typical of modern reef flats (up to 3 mm yr Ì‚'1) will probably be insufficient to maintain suitable conditions for reef lagoon seagrass under moderate to high greenhouse gas emissions scenarios by 2100. Accounting for interdependencies in ecosystem responses to climate change is challenging, but failure to do so results in inaccurate predictions of habitat extent in the future. © 2014 Macmillan Publishers Limited. All rights reserved.

Details

Title: Interdependency of tropical marine ecosystems in response to climate change
Authors: M I Saunders (Author) - University of Queensland
Javier X Leon (Author) - University of Queensland
D P Callaghan (Author) - University of Queensland
C M Roelfsema (Author) - University of Queensland
S Hamylton (Author) - University of Wollongong
C J Brown (Author) - University of Queensland
T Baldock (Author) - University of Queensland
A Golshani (Author) - University of Queensland
S R Phinn (Author) - University of Queensland
C E Lovelock (Author) - University of Queensland
O Hoegh-Guldberg (Author) - University of Queensland
C D Woodroffe (Author) - University of Wollongong
P J Mumby (Author) - University of Queensland
Publication details: Nature Climate Change, Vol.4(8), pp.724-729
Publisher: Nature Publishing Group
Date published: 2014
DOI: 10.1038/nclimate2274
ISSN: 1758-678X
Organisation Unit: School of Science and Engineering - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Science, Technology and Engineering; Sustainability Research Cluster
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99451094802621
Output Type: Journal article

Metrics

450 Record Views