JXB Advance Access published online on January 27, 2009
Journal of Experimental Botany, doi:10.1093/jxb/erp004
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REVIEW-ARTICLE |
Climate change and tropical marine agriculture
Institute for Research in the Applied Natural Sciences, Faculty of Creative Arts, Technologies and Science, University of Bedfordshire, Park Square, Luton LU1 3JU, UK
* E-mail: james.crabbe{at}beds.ac.uk
The coral reef ecosystem forms part of a seascape that includes land-based ecosystems such as mangroves and forests, and ideally should form a complete system for conservation and management. Aquaculture, including artisanal fishing for fish and invertebrates, shrimp farming, and seaweed farming, is a major part of the farming and gleaning practices of many tropical communities, particularly on small islands, and depends upon the integrity of the reefs. Climate change is making major impacts on these communities, not least through global warming and high CO2 concentrations. Corals grow within very narrow limits of temperature, provide livelihoods for millions of people in tropical areas, and are under serious threat from a variety of environmental and climate extremes. Corals survive and grow through a symbiotic relationship with photosynthetic algae: zooxanthellae. Such systems apply highly co-operative regulation to minimize the fluctuation of metabolite concentration profiles in the face of transient perturbations. This review will discuss research on how climate influences reef ecosystems, and how science can lead to conservation actions, with benefits for the human populations reliant on the reefs for their survival.
Key words: Bleaching, capacity building, climate, coral reefs, global warming, robustness
Received 30 October 2008; Revised 5 January 2009 Accepted 7 January 2009