|
|
- Permanent Link:
- http://dpanther.fiu.edu/dpService/dpPurlService/purl/FI15050328/00001
Notes
- Summary:
- 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 ecosystemsin response toclimate 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 lagoon1,2, 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 3mmyr1) 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. A common thread throughout this report is that how much these national seashores will be disrupted depends on the future levels of heat-trapping pollutants. Protecting the resources and values of these special places is among the many reasons for acting now to protect our climate.
Perhaps for most visitors to the Atlantic Coast national seashores, the highlight of the trip is the beach. Each of these national seashores offers beaches as nature intended—long stretches of sandy beaches, backed by dunes and other undeveloped lands. The seashores also harbor other nationally important resources, from barrier islands, largely undisturbed ecosystems, nesting sea turtles, globally important bird areas, wild horses that charm visitors, lighthouses, and other historical resources.
The seashores draw over 11 million visitors a year, whose spending supports nearly 8,000 jobs as detailed in Table ES-1. Threats to the resources that draw these visitors are also threats to the economies of the seven states in which the seashores are located. An additional, immeasurable economic value of the seashores is that they contain islands, spits, dunes, and other shoreline features that are the first line of defense protecting human populations and developments from the sometimes devastating effects of winds and surging flood waters from hurricanes, nor’easters, and other coastal storms. ( English )
Record Information
- Source Institution:
- Florida International University
- Rights Management:
- Please contact the owning institution for licensing and permissions. It is the user's responsibility to ensure use does not violate any third party rights.
|
|
