What impact is climate change having on the oceans, and in particular, coral reefs? Does it cause the same scale of impact as natural disturbances?
Climate change is having a significant impact on the oceans, particularly on coral reefs. Some of the key impacts include:
1. Ocean warming: Warmer ocean temperatures can lead to coral bleaching, where corals expel the algae living in their tissues, causing them to turn white and ultimately starve. This can lead to mass die-offs of corals and destruction of reef ecosystems.
2. Ocean acidification: Increased CO2 levels in the atmosphere are being absorbed by the oceans, resulting in a decrease in pH levels. This makes it harder for corals to build their calcium carbonate skeletons, and can weaken the overall structure of coral reefs.
3. Sea level rise: As global temperatures rise, glaciers and ice caps melt, leading to a rise in sea levels. This can cause damage to coral reefs through increased erosion and sedimentation.
4. Extreme weather events: Climate change is also leading to an increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events such as hurricanes and cyclones, which can cause physical damage to coral reefs.
While natural disturbances such as hurricanes and cyclones can also have significant impacts on coral reefs, climate change is exacerbating these effects and causing them to occur more frequently and with greater intensity. Therefore, the scale of impact from climate change on coral reefs is generally larger and more severe than that from natural disturbances alone.