Wildlife Conservation Society mapping the coral reefs with the most potential for conservation

picture provided by cocoa_pleco of the AC

The Wildlife Conservation Society and the Geo-information Science and Earth Observation (ITC) have developed a new way of determining which of the coral reefs are at highest risk against climate change effects, and which reefs have the greatest potential for conservation success. Each Year, for the past 30 years, 5.4% of the coral reefs are devastated by bleaching due to climate changes. The primary cause of coral bleaching is high water temperature (global warming).

For the coral reefs, a temperature increase of only 1.5°C that lasts for six to eight weeks will trigger coral bleaching; and if those high temperatures continue beyond the eight week mark, the coral begins to die off. While high water temperatures is not the only reason for coral bleaching; which can also be caused by disease, pollutants, or changes in salinity; high temperature bleaching is the greatest concern because it effects coral on a global scale as opposed to a small isolated section of coral suffering from a different bleaching cause.

The WCS and ITC model uses a collection of data from reefs, including: temperature, ultraviolet lights, winds, currents, and the concentration of microscopic plankton on the surface of the ocean to determine the most troubled reefs, and reefs with the most hope to survive with conservation.

To read the entire article and find what areas in the Indian Ocean are worst, and best, for the reefs visit: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080416165732.htm 

To read more on reef bleaching and conservation efforts in the Great Barrier Reefs visit the website for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park website at: http://www.gbrmpa.gov.au/corp_site