National Coral Reef Monitoring Program:
Monitoring Climate-Driven Impacts
NOAA and partners launch a new buoy in Fagatele Bay to monitor changes in ocean chemistry, including carbon dioxide, which can affect the rich coral reefs and marine species of the bay. (Photo: Nerelle Que/ National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa)
A changing climate is impacting the nation’s coral reef ecosystems. Increases in ocean temperature and changes to ocean chemistry are causing widespread coral bleaching, more frequent disease, and reduced coral growth rates. Key indicators used to identify and monitor climate-driven trends are listed below.
Thermal stress - changes in sea temperature
Ocean acidification - changes in carbonate chemistry
Ecological impacts - data on coral growth rates, erosion, and community structure to understand impacts of thermal stress and ocean acidification on the ecosystem
Data collection methods include moored oceanographic and ecological instruments stationed at fixed points in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, water samples collected by divers, and satellite-based observations.
These extensive monitoring data provide a comprehensive view of climate change impacts on coral reef ecosystems and help identify areas of resilience and vulnerability. The data are also used in modeling efforts.
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Supporting Documentation (Please note this encompasses only a subset of documentation for the submitted data. Contact the data providers with further questions.)
