Effects of combined rising sea temperature and increasing sea level on coral reefs, both factors associated with global warming, have rarely been addressed. In this similar to 40 y study of shallow reefs in the eastern Indian Ocean, we show that a rising relative sea level, currently estimated at similar to 11 mm y(-1), has not only promoted coral cover but also has potential to limit damaging effects of thermally-induced bleaching. In 2010 the region experienced the most severe bleaching on record with corals subject to sea temperatures of >31 degrees C for 7 weeks. While the reef flats studied have a common aspect and are dominated by a similar suite of coral species, there was considerable spatial variation in their bleaching response which corresponded with reef-flat depth. Greatest loss of coral cover and community structure disruption occurred on the shallowest reef flats. Damage was less severe on the deepest reef flat where corals were subject to less aerial exposure, rapid flushing and longer submergence in turbid waters. Recovery of the most damaged sites took only similar to 8 y. While future trajectories of these resilient reefs will depend on sea-level anomalies, and frequency of extreme bleaching the positive role of rising sea level should not be under-estimated.
1.Newcastle Univ, Sch Nat & Environm Sci, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1 7RU, Tyne & Wear, England 2.Univ Highlands & Isl, Environm Res Unit, Castle St, Thurso KW14 7JD, Caithness, Scotland 3.Plymouth Marine Lab, Prospect Pl, Plymouth PL1 3DH, Devon, England 4.Delft Univ Technol, Dept Space Engn, NL-2629 HS Delft, Netherlands 5.Dept Marine & Coastal Resources, 120 Moo 3,Changwathana Rd, Bangkok 10210, Thailand 6.Phuket Marine Biol Ctr, POB 60, Phuket 8300, Thailand 7.Univ Leeds, Fac Biol Sci, Leeds LS2 9JT, W Yorkshire, England
Recommended Citation:
Brown, B. E.,Dunne, R. P.,Somerfield, P. J.,et al. Long-term impacts of rising sea temperature and sea level on shallow water coral communities over a similar to 40 year period[J]. SCIENTIFIC REPORTS,2019-01-01,9