Growth of Western Australian Corals in the Anthropocene
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Material Information

Title:
Growth of Western Australian Corals in the Anthropocene
Series Title:
Science Magazine Volume 335
Creator:
Timothy F. Cooper
Rebecca A. O'Leary
Janice M. Lough
Affiliation:
University of Western Australia -- Australian Institute of Marine Science
University of Western Australia Oceans Institute -- Australian Institute of Marine Science
Australian Institute of Marine Science
Publisher:
American Association for the Advancement of Science
Publication Date:
Language:
English

Notes

Abstract:
Anthropogenic increases of atmospheric carbon dioxide lead to warmer sea surface temperatures and altered ocean chemistry. Experimental evidence suggests that coral calcification decreases as aragonite saturation drops but increases as temperatures rise toward thresholds optimal for coral growth. In situ studies have documented alarming recent declines in calcification rates on several tropical coral reef ecosystems. We show there is no widespread pattern of consistent decline in calcification rates of massive Porites during the 20th century on reefs spanning an 11° latitudinal range in the southeast Indian Ocean off Western Australia. Increasing calcification rates on the high-latitude reefs contrast with the downward trajectory reported for corals on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef and provide additional evidence that recent changes in coral calcification are responses to temperature rather than ocean acidification.

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Florida International University
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