Climate Change and Conservation

Atmospheric Inputs

All Atmospheric Inputs

Sea Surface Temperature Levitus et al. 2000

Sea Surface Temperature Levitus et al. 2000

Sea Level Rise

Consequences Sea levels will increase –Low lying areas will be flooded –Coral reefs may drown if sea level rise is faster than coral growth rates –Barrier islands may be changed Loss of pack ice habitats in Antarctic and Arctic –Declines of pinnipeds/penguins dependent on edge of pack ice Ocean circulation patterns will change –Upwelling may be reduced –Coastal areas may have increased primary productivity –Increased CO 2 may also increase plant production

UV Radiation Rozema et al. 2002

UV Radiation Rozema et al. 2002

UV Radiation Cummings et al. 2002

Global Climate Change Increased Ultraviolet Radiation Increases in ultraviolet radiation are thought to have large impacts on the photosynthetic functioning of algae Studies such as Neale et al. (1998) have investigated UVB on microalgae have been investigated in Antarctic systems One study suggests a 6-12% drop in primary productivity due to photoinhibition of phytoplankton Reduction of primary productivity decrease CO 2 uptake UVB may also inhibit development or increase mortality of eggs and larvae

Impacts in the Antarctic Weimerskirch et al. 2003

Impacts in the Antarctic Weimerskirch et al. 2003

Changing Ice Area

Gaston et al. 2005

Changing Ice Area Jenouvrier et al. 2005

Impacts in Temperate Areas McGowan et al. 1998

El Nino and PDO McGowan et al. 1998

El Nino and PDO

Global Climate Change in the Pacific Ocean McGowan et al. (1998) have analyzed patterns of global climate change and correlations within and among sites in the Pacific Basin Large warming episodes in the California Current System are linked to equatorial El Ninos The coastal California El Ninos result in lower nutricline, deep chlorophyl maximum layer and lower secondary production of zooplankton

Global Climate Change in the Pacific Ocean They also note that there is a longer-term interdecadal trend associated with an intensification of the Aleutian low and westerly winds This has resulted in increased SST and physical stratification in the eastern North Pacific This results in shallower depth of mixing, less nutrients in the euphotic zone, and decreased primary (phytoplankton) and secondary production (zooplankton, sea birds, fishes)

Global Climate Change in the Pacific Ocean They find different patterns for the Gulf of Alaska where interannual variation in SST and zooplankton have not been related to El Nino events However large interdecadal increases in SST, zooplankton, and fish landings are reported The intensification of the Gulf of Alaska circulation (and weakening of California Current) has accompanied a shallowing of the mixed layer depth

Impacts in Tropical Areas

Hoegh-Guldberg 1999

Impacts in Tropical Areas

Impacts in California

Long-Term Trends

Changes in Calcification Increasing CO2 can lead to changes in the oceans concentration of calcium carbonate Increased CO2 will increase the amount dissolved in ocean water This will increase carbonic acid and lower the ocean’s pH This will reduce the amount of aragonite in the water possibly to below saturation This will make it more difficult for corals and other organisms that use calcium carbonate

Changes in Calcification

Bond et al Millenial Cycles

Decadal Cycles Fligge and Solanki 2001

Decadal Cycles Larsen 2005

Decadal Cycles Larsen 2005