OP
Actually its a bit more complex (of course it is...
Some coral species are capable to adapt to larger temperature ranges and will be able to keep up with rising water temperatures - other coral species don't. What this means is we will observe a shift towards an increased abundance of temperature resistant coral species - while others will simply disappear in areas most affected by global warming.
In terms of biodiversity, this translates with fewer species composing coral reef ecosystems impacted by global warming. In layman terms: biodiversity goes down, while coral cover may remain the same - resistant coral species and other coral reef organisms will fill the gap.
As specific coral reef species maintain specific relationships with other coral reef organims (providing food and habitat for example) these coral reef species such as fish, crustaceans etc. will be impacted as well, further reducing biodiversity in a given area.
Some coral species are also capable of dealing with changes of water temperature on the long run and are capable to survive if temperatures go back to a state comparable to the initial one - scientists call this capacity 'resilience'.
As you know, reef-building coral maintain a symbiotic relationship with a microscopic algae callled 'zooxanthellae', with which they exchange energy needed for building the reef. Well, with rising temperatures, some coral expell zooxanthellae - a phenomen known as 'coral bleaching'. Scientists have discovered though that some coral species are capable of contracting a new symbiosis with different kinds of zooxanthealle, better adapted to higher temperature ranges...
Conclusion: nature finds its ways to adapt to changes - although we look a little bit into a gloomy future because these changes are happening so rapidly, which makes it difficult for species to adapt - but not all is black.
The set-up of MPA,s (Marine Protected Areas) is vital in this context as this preserves 'gene pools' for resettling if necessary and creates more potential for ecosystems capable of bouncing back...
Enjoy your day on the reef...
Stephan
Some coral species are capable to adapt to larger temperature ranges and will be able to keep up with rising water temperatures - other coral species don't. What this means is we will observe a shift towards an increased abundance of temperature resistant coral species - while others will simply disappear in areas most affected by global warming. In terms of biodiversity, this translates with fewer species composing coral reef ecosystems impacted by global warming. In layman terms: biodiversity goes down, while coral cover may remain the same - resistant coral species and other coral reef organisms will fill the gap.
As specific coral reef species maintain specific relationships with other coral reef organims (providing food and habitat for example) these coral reef species such as fish, crustaceans etc. will be impacted as well, further reducing biodiversity in a given area.
Some coral species are also capable of dealing with changes of water temperature on the long run and are capable to survive if temperatures go back to a state comparable to the initial one - scientists call this capacity 'resilience'.
As you know, reef-building coral maintain a symbiotic relationship with a microscopic algae callled 'zooxanthellae', with which they exchange energy needed for building the reef. Well, with rising temperatures, some coral expell zooxanthellae - a phenomen known as 'coral bleaching'. Scientists have discovered though that some coral species are capable of contracting a new symbiosis with different kinds of zooxanthealle, better adapted to higher temperature ranges...
Conclusion: nature finds its ways to adapt to changes - although we look a little bit into a gloomy future because these changes are happening so rapidly, which makes it difficult for species to adapt - but not all is black.
The set-up of MPA,s (Marine Protected Areas) is vital in this context as this preserves 'gene pools' for resettling if necessary and creates more potential for ecosystems capable of bouncing back...
Enjoy your day on the reef...
Stephan
