ECOSYSTEMS MANAGEMENT STUDIES

Ecosystem mapping and management

Modeling regional coral reef responses to changes in climate and ocean chemistry (Buddemeier, Jokiel, et al).

Th primary focus of this work is to synthesize mapping information for the Hawaiian Archipelago, investigate the impact of ocean acidification on coral reefs of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, and to develop predictive climate change models. A database of all available bathymetry data (ocean depth measurement) in the Hawaiian Archipelago has been compiled to provide comparisons between the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI) and the Main Hawaiian Islands. One aspect of this work is to optimize information on bottom complexity. The continuing analysis of data sets has provided insights into factors controlling habitat distribution.

Ocean acidification experiments being conducted at Coconut Island.

During 2007 a total of 96 reef sites throughout the NWHI were surveyed measuring fish number, biomass and diversity; determining benthic coral, algae and invertebrate cover; as well as rugosity and sediment characteristics. A spreadsheet-based model for projecting the effects of climate change on coral reefs at local-to-regional scales is being developed. This model calculates the impacts to coral reefs from changes in average sea-surface temperature and CO2 concentrations, as well as high temperature mortality (bleaching) events. In the coming year this model will develop climate change scenarios for the NWHI incorporating habitat mapping, biological and continuously gathered data.

For more information visit: http://cramp.wcc.hawaii.edu

Recent papers related to this work

Jokiel, P. L. and K.. S. Rodgers. 2005. Ranking coral ecosystem “health” and “value” for the islands of the Hawaiian Archipelago. Report to the Northwest Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve, Honolulu 15 pp.

Jokiel, P. L., K.. S. Rodgers, E.K. Brown, J. Kenyon, G. Aeby, W. R. Smith and F. Farrell 2005. Comparison of methods used to estimate coral cover in the Hawaiian Islands. Report to the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Ecosystem Reserve. 22 pp.

Godwin, Scott, Ku‘ulei S. Rodgers and Paul L. Jokiel 2006. Reducing Potential Impact of Invasive Marine Species in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Marine National Monument. Report submitted to Northwest Hawaiian Islands Marine National Monument Administration, Honolulu, August 2006. 66 pp. Available from NTIS (http://www.fedworld.gov/onow/).

Jokiel, P. L. and K.. S. Rodgers. 2007. Ranking coral ecosystem “health” and “value” for the islands of the Hawaiian Archipelago. Pacific Conservation Biology 13:60-68.

Kuffner, Ilsa B., Andreas J. Andersson, Paul L. Jokiel, Ku‘ulei S. Rodgers, and Fred T. Mackenzie 2008. Decreased abundance of crustose coralline algae due to ocean acidification. Nature Geoscience 1: 114-117

Jokiel, Paul L., Ku‘ulei S. Rodgers, Ilsa B. Kuffner, Andreas J. Andersson, Evelyn F. Cox, Fred T. Mackenzie 2008. Ocean acidification and calcifying reef organisms: a mesocosm investigation. Coral Reefs DOI 10.1007/s00338-008-0380-9

Buddemeier, R. W., P.L. Jokiel, K.M. Zimmerman, D.R. Lane, J. M. Carey, G.C. Bohling, J.A. Martinich. (in press) A modeling tool to evaluate regional coral reef responses to changes in climate and ocean chemistry Limnol Oceanogr.

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