Status of Caribbean coral reefs after bleaching and hurricanes in 2005

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Status of Caribbean Coral Reefs after Bleaching and Hurricanes in 2005Recovery from hurricane damage is variable. Often, branching corals recover quickly becauseof their rapid growth, and broken branches can even begin to regrow in new areas. However,recovery can be hindered by the accumulation and movement of coral rubble generated bythe hurricane, and by increases in the abundance of algae, which compete for space withinthe reef. Terrestrial runoff resulting from heavy rainfall can also influence the nearshore reefecosystems, smothering corals with sediment and other debris, as well as increasing nutrients(including those in fertilisers) that influence growth rates of algae, and lowering salinity,which can stress corals.Co n c l u s i o n sThe influence of hurricanes on coral reefs can be beneficial and detrimental. Small hurricanescan provide fast relief during periods of thermal stress, whereas waves from large hurricanescan reduce a reef to rubble. Coral reefs have experienced these effects of hurricanes andsurvived for millions of years; however, in light of the rapidly changing climate, the ability ofcorals to recover from severe storms, while facing the combined effects of increasing thermalstress and ocean acidification, could be extinguished.Ac k n o w l e d g e m e n t sInformation was extracted from the following source and the authors would like to acknowledgetheir contribution: NOAA National Hurricane Center, www.nhc.noaa.govAu t h o r Co n ta c t sScott Heron, Jessica Morgan, Mark Eakin and William Skirving, NOAA Coral Reef Watch,SSMC1 Rm5308, 1335 East West Hwy, Silver Spring MD 20910, USA, scott.heron@noaa.gov,jessica.morgan@noaa.gov, mark.eakin@noaa.gov, and william.skirving@noaa.gov.References1. Manzello DP, Brandt M, Smith TB, Lirman D, Hendee JC, Nemeth RS (2007). Hurricanesbenefit bleached corals. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences104:12035-12039.2. Massel SR, Done TJ (1993). Effects of cyclone waves on massive coral assemblages onthe Great Barrier Reef: meteorology, hydrodynamics and demography. Coral Reefs12:153-1663. Monaldo FM, Sikora TD, Babin SM, Sterner RE (1997). Satellite Imagery of Sea SurfaceTemperature Cooling in the Wake of Hurricane Edouard (1996). Monthly WeatherReview 125(10):2716–2721.4. Scharroo R, Smith WHF, Lillibridge JL (2005). Satellite Altimetry and the Intensification ofHurricane Katrina. Eos Transactions 86:366.5. Shein KA, Waple AM, Levy JM, Bourassa MA, et al. (2006). State of the Climate in 2005.Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society 87(6):S1, 95 pgs.6. Trenberth KE, Shea DJ (2006). Atlantic hurricanes and natural variability in 2005.Geophysical Research Letters 33:L12704.7. Webster PJ, Holland GJ, Curry JA, Chang H-R (2005). Changes in Tropical Cyclone Number,Duration, and Intensity in a Warming Environment. Science 309:1844-1846.36
4. Th e 2005 Bl e a c h i n g Ev e n t: Co r a l-List Lo gJessica Mo r g a n, Sc ot t He ro n a n d Ma r k Ea k i nCoral reef scientists and managers were fortunate to have an early warning system in place priorto the damaging events of 2005. This chapter is a log of events that occurred in the Caribbeanduring 2005 and is largely based on messages sent out, and submissions to, Coral-List.CORAL LIST‘Coral-List’ is a coral reef information and news email forum maintained by NOAA’s CoralHealth and Monitoring Program, for coral reef researchers and managers throughout theworld. Since 1995, the list has broadcast announcements and discussions of various local,regional, and global topics concerning coral reefs, including coral bleaching, disease andspawning, environmental monitoring, and upcoming meetings. Coral-List currently hasmore than 4400 subscribers. To register go to http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/mailman/listinfo/coral-list/.17-Mar-05 Coral bleaching reported on 2 reefs in Southern Bahia, Brazil (Itacolomis andAbrolhos); but the temperature rise is only 0.75°C above the maximum summer average. NOAAhas not detected a major HotSpot in the satellite images; maybe this is a doldrum-like event.16-May-05 First bad news: The U.S. National Hurricane Center has predicted a 70% chanceof an above-normal Atlantic hurricane season. The outlook is for 12-15 tropical storms, ofwhich 3-5 will become major hurricanes. This could be serious for reefs in the Caribbean. Badhurricane years are often bad bleaching years as well.26-May-05 Satellite images show potential coral bleaching and ‘HotSpots’ are appearing acrossthe Caribbean earlier than usual. Winds are generally low and a pool of unusually warm waterhas formed northeast of the Lesser Antilles. NOAA Coral Reef Watch has sent out an emailmessage calling for people to start checking for coral bleaching.37
Page 1 and 2: Stat u s o fCa r i b b e a nCo r a
Page 3 and 4: Dedication: This book is dedicated
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Managing for Mass Coral Bleaching:
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Status of Caribbean coral reefs after bleaching and hurricanes in 2005

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