Ocean acidification impacts in select Pacific Basin coral reef ecosystems

• Published in: Regional Studies in Marine Science
• Main Authors: Lebrec, Marine, Stefanski, Stephanie F., Gates, Ruth, Acar, Sevil, Golbuu, Yimmang, Claudel-Rusin, Astrid, Swarzenski, Peter W., Paugam-Baudoin, Delphine, Rehdanz, Katrin, Tsunoda, Tomohiko
• Other Authors: Sevil Acar
• Format: Review
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V. 2019
• Subjects: Pacific Basin; Ecosystems; Ocean Acidification; Pacific; Ocean acidification
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12939/1154; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rsma.2019.100584

2-s2.0-85062877382 In the vast tropical Pacific Basin islands, corals reef ecosystems are one of the defining marine habitats, critical for maintaining biodiversity and supporting highly productive fisheries. These reefs are also vital for tourism and armoring exposed shorelines against erosion and other storm-related effects. Since the 1980’s, there has been growing evidence that these Pacific Basin coral reef ecosystems are highly vulnerable to the combined effects of both climatic and non-climatic stressors. Observations of widespread bleaching in the region has been linked to acute temperature stress, and the heightened recurrence intervals and intensity of storms has been correlated to recent climate-change induced impacts. Ocean acidification is another ubiquitous stressor with dramatic consequences to biological systems. In this paper we describe what sets this region apart from other coral reef regions around the world, and highlight some examples of the diverse response to ocean acidification threats and associated socio-economic impacts. © 2019 U.S. Department of State, DOS Foremost, the authors are deeply saddened by the unexpected passing of Ruth on October 25, 2018. Ruth was an exceptional scientist and pioneer in the field of coral reef biology who worked tirelessly on a ‘super coral’ that would be better poised against the damaging effects of climate-change, such as ocean acidification and ocean warming. Her life and work is a testament to what can be achieved through scientific innovation and infectious optimism. This work was supported in part by the IAEA Environment Laboratories and the U.S. Department of State through the Junior Professional Officer program (ML). The IAEA is grateful for the support provided to its Environment Laboratories by the Government of the Principality of Monaco . PWS thanks Ms Theresa Fregoso (USGS — Santa Cruz, CA USA) for graphics assistance.