Climate change and carbon threats to coral reefs: national meteorological and ocean services as sentinels

Abstract

[Extract] The preservation of coral reefs under a changing climate requires a coordinated approach that integrates observational, experimental, and modeling efforts with practical management and sound government policy. Coral reefs are among the most species-rich habitats in the world, but also among the most vulnerable to our current high-emission path. Observations of the climate system have shown an increase in global average surface temperature during the twentieth century, with an increased rate of warming since 1950.