climate change on the great barrier reef management efforts and challenges
DESCRIPTION
Climate Change on the Great Barrier Reef Management efforts and challenges. David Wachenfeld & Paul Marshall. Outline. Background Communication Tactical Response Strategic Response Conclusions. 2002 Aerial survey (640 reefs). 29. 28. 27. 26. 25. 1870. 1900. 1930. 1960. 1990. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Climate Change on theClimate Change on theGreat Barrier ReefGreat Barrier ReefManagement effortsManagement effortsand challengesand challenges
David Wachenfeld& Paul Marshall
OutlineOutline
Background
Communication
Tactical Response
Strategic Response
Conclusions
Background
2,900 individual coral reefs Severe coral bleaching
events in 1998 and 2002 GBR has been lucky so far The warning bell has rung
25
26
27
28
29
1870 1900 1930 1960 1990 2020 2050 2080
2002 Aerial survey
(640 reefs)
Figure courtesy of Dr Janice Lough- AIMS
Communication
Regular status reports Dedicated website Stakeholder briefings Media– print, radio, TV Scientific reports Ministerial briefings
GBRMPA Bleaching Response PlanGBRMPA Bleaching Response Plan(in collaboration with AIMS & NOAA)(in collaboration with AIMS & NOAA)
Monitoring stress levels
Coral bleaching early warning system
Broad-scale surveys
Jan 4
Fine-scale surveys
Tactical ResponseTactical Response Tiered Monitoring SystemTiered Monitoring System
NOAA Hotspot development 2001/02NOAA Hotspot development 2001/02
Dec 22 Jan 14Jan 4 Jan 29 Feb 11 Feb 23 Mar 5 Mar 23
Tactical ResponseTactical Response Monitoring stress levelsMonitoring stress levels
AIMS/GBRMPA AIMS/GBRMPA AutomaticAutomaticWeather Weather StationsStations
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
20-Nov 4-Dec 18-Dec 1-Jan 15-Jan 29-Jan 12-Feb 26-Feb 12-Mar 26-Mar
Avg
dai
ly te
mpe
ratu
re, d
eg C
2001-02 Average (poly)
Threshold starts at 30.1
Average
Remember…Remember…
Knowledge Credibility Empowerment
Public reporting program Tourism operators, Marine Parks
Rangers, scientists etc Reports received via
GBRMPA web site Helped focus surveys Communication tool
Tactical ResponseTactical Response Coral bleaching early warning systemCoral bleaching early warning system
Tactical ResponseTactical Response Broad-scale surveysBroad-scale surveys
From planes Structured random surveys
(n = 640) Five point categorical scale
Tactical ResponseTactical Response Fine scale surveysFine scale surveys
On SCUBA Rapid assessments
+ video transects
Structured random surveys(n = 27)
Targeted surveys (n = 8)
Method ExtentAverage Severity
(+mortality)
Maximum Severity
(+mortality)
Aerial Yes No No
Underwater (random)
Yes Yes No
Underwater (targeted)
No No Yes
Tactical ResponseTactical Response Why three types of survey?Why three types of survey?
Strategic ResponseStrategic Response
Reef conditionReef condition
“Resilience threshold”• BiodiversityBiodiversity
• Water qualityWater quality
• Over-fishingOver-fishing
Increase Increase resilienceresilience
Sea temperatureSea temperatureReduce rate and Reduce rate and magnitude of changemagnitude of change
Strategic ResponseStrategic Response Protecting Biodiversity
Effects of climate change on biodiversity other than corals Multiple use Marine Protected Area How to design a system of Highly Protected (no take) areas
within a Marine Protected Area? Pick winners or spread the risk? All physical, chemical and biological knowledge of Great
Barrier Reef synthesised into 70 bio-regions Target to protect at least 20% of each bio-region in HPAs New draft zoning plan raises HPAs from 4.6% to 32.5% Replication within each bio-region (spread the risk) Special and unique areas (fish spawning, turtle nesting etc)
Strategic ResponseStrategic Response
Strategic ResponseStrategic Response
ConclusionsConclusions Future climate scenarios unprecedented Further reef damage is almost certain Potentially irreversible ecological & economic impacts GBRMPA has implemented an annual tactical
bleaching response plan GBRMPA is informing national and international
policy on climate change GBRMPA is maximising GBR resilience by protecting
biodiversity, improving water quality, and reducing over-fishing