Climate Change:Temperature and Coral Reefs

Climate ChangeWeather vs. Climate

Weather: day to day changes in temperature, rainfall, cloudiness, moisture

Climate: long term changes in weather patterns on our planet

Effects of climate change: Warmer sea surface temperatures (today’s activity)Sea level riseDrought (water shortage), floodingOcean acidification

Pacific Islands Ocean Observing System

Divers work on sensors at the Kilo Nalu Reef Observatory which monitor

water quality and temperature

HIOOS Coastal Wave

Buoy Measurements

Wave buoys monitor wave

height, direction, and period around the Pacific Ocean.

CO2 Buoy off the south shore of Oahu, Hawaii

Photo courtesy of R. David Beales, UH Creative Services

TemperatureCarbon Dioxide

SalinityOxygen

ChlorophyllTurbidity

CO2 and Climate ChangeGreenhouse effect – makes life

on Earth possibleCO2 comes from natural and

man made sources:Natural: animal respiration,

volcanoesMan made: burning fossil fuels

(cars, planes, electricity), deforestation (cutting/burning trees)

Too much CO2 causes too much warming

Video

Plants – PHOTOSYNTHESIS (take up carbon dioxide and give off oxygen)

Animals – RESPIRATION (take up oxygen and give off carbon dioxide)

What is coral?

Plant? Animal?

Coral: a happy duo

• Zooxanthelle (algae) provide food & oxygen

• Coral provide CO2 & protection

• Calcium carbonate skeleton

Coral Bleaching

Mass Coral Bleaching

Temperature!