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Climate Change on the Great Barrier Reef Management efforts and challenges

Explore the background, communication strategies, and tactical and strategic responses to climate change impacts on the Great Barrier Reef. Learn about the monitoring systems, surveys, and protection measures implemented by GBRMPA to protect this valuable ecosystem. Discover the importance of resilience, biodiversity, and water quality in mitigating the effects of climate change on the reef. Gain insights into the ongoing efforts to inform national and international policies on climate change.

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Climate Change on the Great Barrier Reef Management efforts and challenges

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  1. Climate Change on theGreat Barrier ReefManagement effortsand challenges David Wachenfeld& Paul Marshall

  2. Outline • Background • Communication • Tactical Response • Strategic Response • Conclusions

  3. 2002 Aerial survey (640 reefs) 29 28 27 26 25 1870 1900 1930 1960 1990 2020 2050 2080 Background • 2,900 individual coral reefs • Severe coral bleachingevents in 1998 and 2002 • GBR has been lucky so far • The warning bell has rung Figure courtesy of Dr Janice Lough- AIMS

  4. Communication • Regular status reports • Dedicated website • Stakeholder briefings • Media– print, radio, TV • Scientific reports • Ministerial briefings

  5. Jan 4 Tactical ResponseTiered Monitoring System GBRMPA Bleaching Response Plan (in collaboration with AIMS & NOAA) • Monitoring stress levels • Coral bleaching early warning system • Broad-scale surveys • Fine-scale surveys

  6. AIMS/GBRMPA AutomaticWeather Stations 32 Threshold starts at 30.1 31 NOAA Hotspot development 2001/02 30 29 Avg daily temperature, deg C 28 Average 2001-02 Average (poly) 27 26 26-Mar 20-Nov 4-Dec 18-Dec 1-Jan 15-Jan 29-Jan 12-Feb 26-Feb 12-Mar Feb 23 Mar 5 Jan 4 Jan 29 Feb 11 Mar 23 Dec 22 Jan 14 Tactical ResponseMonitoring stress levels

  7. Remember… • Knowledge • Credibility • Empowerment

  8. Tactical ResponseCoral bleaching early warning system Public reporting program • Tourism operators, Marine Parks Rangers, scientists etc • Reports received viaGBRMPA web site • Helped focus surveys • Communication tool

  9. Tactical ResponseBroad-scale surveys • From planes • Structured random surveys(n = 640) • Five point categorical scale

  10. Tactical ResponseFine scale surveys • On SCUBA • Rapid assessments + video transects • Structured random surveys(n = 27) • Targeted surveys (n = 8)

  11. Tactical ResponseWhy three types of survey?

  12. Reef condition Strategic Response Sea temperatureReduce rate and magnitude of change Increase resilience • Biodiversity • Water quality • Over-fishing “Resilience threshold”

  13. Strategic ResponseProtecting 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)

  14. Strategic Response

  15. Strategic Response

  16. Conclusions • 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

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