Climate Change: Temperature and Coral Reefs

Climate Change Weather 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 rise Drought (water shortage), flooding Ocean 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.

CO 2 Buoy off the south shore of Oahu, Hawaii Photo courtesy of R. David Beales, UH Creative Services Temperature Carbon Dioxide Salinity Oxygen Chlorophyll Turbidity

CO 2 and Climate Change Greenhouse effect – makes life on Earth possible CO 2 comes from natural and man made sources: Natural: animal respiration, volcanoes Man made: burning fossil fuels (cars, planes, electricity), deforestation (cutting/burning trees) Too much CO 2 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 CO 2 & protection Calcium carbonate skeleton

Coral Bleaching

Mass Coral Bleaching Temperature!