1. U.S.-China LMR Bilateral, June 13, 2011 NOAA Research to Understand the Ecological, Biodiversity, and Fisheries Impacts of Ocean Acidification Dr. Rusty Brainard Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center Dr. Rusty Brainard Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center Dr. Mike Sigler Alaska Fisheries Science Center Dr. Mike Sigler Alaska Fisheries Science Center

2. Ocean Acidification Modified from Doney et al. Ann. Rev. Mar. Sci. 2009 Observed decline in the surface ocean pH and Aragonite Saturation State

3. Coral Reef calcification 1765 Adequate 2000 Marginal 2100 Low Calcification rates in the tropics may decrease by 30% over the next century Projections of Aragonite Saturation After Feely et al (2008) with Modeled Saturation Levels from Orr et al (2005) Major Gap

4. CENOZOICMESOZOIC PALEOZOICPRECAMBRIAN Age (Ma) From Signor (1990) Number of Genera Biological Impacts of Acidification 65200251360444 Cretaceous/ Tertiary Triassic/ Jurassic Permian/ Triassic Late Devonian Ordovician/ Silurian Era Coral Reef Gap CoralsCalcareous plankton Doney et al (2009) Ann. Rev. Mar. Sci.

5. China Pacific Islands Region Seawater carbonate chemistry Seawater carbonate chemistry Ecological impacts of acidification Ecological impacts of acidification Spatial surveys across gradients of oceanographic conditions, habitats, and human impacts Spatial surveys across gradients of oceanographic conditions, habitats, and human impacts Long-term Monitoring of Coral Reefs (fish, coral, algae) Long-term Monitoring of Coral Reefs (fish, coral, algae) Organism response experiments – lab and mesocosm Organism response experiments – lab and mesocosm Monitor Calcification Rates of Reef-builders Monitor Calcification Rates of Reef-builders Monitor shifts in Biodiversity and Community Structure Monitor shifts in Biodiversity and Community Structure Atlantis Ecosystem Modeling Atlantis Ecosystem Modeling Time series observations from: repeated surveys and moored instruments Time series observations from: repeated surveys and moored instruments

6. NOAA developed Autonomous Reef Monitoring Structures (ARMS) as a systematic tool to assess and monitor changes in benthic community composition (biodiversity), particularly calcifying organisms likely to be influenced by ocean acidification. Biodiversity Shifts: ARMS Organisms recorded from a cubic foot of reef on Moorea, approximate size of a single ARMS. Collected by MBP researchers and David Littschwager; used with permission.

7. Organisms recorded from a cubic foot of reef on Moorea, approximately the size of a single ARMS. Collected by MBP researchers and David Littschwager; used with permission. NOAA and partners have initiated deployment of a global array of ARMS to establish a baseline of spatial patterns cryptic invertebrate diversity of coral reefs. Long-term monitoring of these sites will be used to assess shifts in benthic community structure in response to ocean acidification. Collaborative ARMS in Chinese coastal waters? Biodiversity Shifts: ARMS

8. POTENTIAL EFFECTS  Reduced calcification rates  Reduced growth and survival  Shifts in nutrient and trace element speciation  Shifts in phytoplankton diversity  Changes to biogeochemical cycles, food webs and ecosystems  Uncertainities great – research required Ocean Acidification POTENTIAL DIRECT EFFECTS FOR BIVALVE AND CRUSTACEAN FISHERIES

9. Research Strategy Ocean chemistry monitoring Experiments on a range of taxa Population models and forecasts

10. US-China Collaboration Opportunities Monitor carbonate chemistry in Chinese coastal coral reefs? Monitor carbonate chemistry in Chinese coastal coral reefs? Monitor biodiversity and community structure in Chinese coastal coral reefs using NOAA’s Autonomous Reef Monitoring Structures (ARMS)? Monitor biodiversity and community structure in Chinese coastal coral reefs using NOAA’s Autonomous Reef Monitoring Structures (ARMS)? Monitor recruitment and calcification in Chinese coastal coral reefs using NOAA’s Calcification Acidification Units (CAUs)? Monitor recruitment and calcification in Chinese coastal coral reefs using NOAA’s Calcification Acidification Units (CAUs)? Thank You! Any Questions? Scientist exchanges for above ocean acidification research? Scientist exchanges for above ocean acidification research?