U.S.-China LMR Bilateral, June 13, 2011

1. NOAA Research to Understand the Ecological, Biodiversity, and Fisheries Impacts of Ocean Acidification Dr. Rusty Brainard Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center Dr. Mike Sigler Alaska Fisheries Science Center U.S.-China LMR Bilateral, June 13, 2011

2. Ocean Acidification Observed decline in the surface ocean pH and Aragonite Saturation State Modified from Doney et al. Ann. Rev. Mar. Sci. 2009

3. Projections of Aragonite Saturation • Coral Reef calcification • 1765 Adequate • 2000 Marginal • 2100 Low Major Gap Calcification rates in the tropics may decrease by 30% over the next century After Feely et al (2008) with Modeled Saturation Levels from Orr et al (2005)

4. Corals Calcareous plankton Coral Reef Gap Biological Impacts of Acidification PALEOZOIC PRECAMBRIAN CENOZOIC MESOZOIC Era Number of Genera From Signor (1990) Age (Ma) 65 200 251 360 444 Cretaceous/ Tertiary Triassic/ Jurassic Permian/ Triassic Late Devonian Ordovician/ Silurian Doney et al (2009) Ann. Rev. Mar. Sci.

5. Pacific Islands Region • Seawater carbonate chemistry China • Spatial surveys across gradients of oceanographic conditions, habitats, and human impacts • Time series observations from: repeated surveys and moored instruments • Ecological impacts of acidification • Long-term Monitoring of Coral Reefs (fish, coral, algae) • Organism response experiments – lab and mesocosm • Monitor Calcification Rates of Reef-builders • Monitor shifts in Biodiversity and Community Structure • Atlantis Ecosystem Modeling

6. Biodiversity Shifts: ARMS NOAA developed Autonomous Reef Monitoring Structures (ARMS) as a systematic tool to assess and monitor changes in benthic community composition (biodiversity), particularly calcifying organisms likely to be influenced by ocean acidification. Organisms recorded from a cubic foot of reef on Moorea, approximate size of a single ARMS. Collected by MBP researchers and David Littschwager; used with permission.

7. Biodiversity Shifts: ARMS NOAA and partners have initiated deployment of a global array of ARMS to establish a baseline of spatial patterns cryptic invertebrate diversity of coral reefs. Long-term monitoring of these sites will be used to assess shifts in benthic community structure in response to ocean acidification. Collaborative ARMS in Chinese coastal waters? Organisms recorded from a cubic foot of reef on Moorea, approximately the size of a single ARMS. Collected by MBP researchers and David Littschwager; used with permission.

8. Ocean Acidification POTENTIAL EFFECTS • Reduced calcification rates • Reduced growth and survival • Shifts in nutrient and trace element speciation • Shifts in phytoplankton diversity • Changes to biogeochemical cycles, food webs and ecosystems • Uncertainities great – research required POTENTIAL DIRECT EFFECTS FOR BIVALVE AND CRUSTACEAN FISHERIES

9. Research Strategy • Ocean chemistry monitoring • Experiments on a range of taxa • Population models and forecasts

10. US-China Collaboration Opportunities • Monitor carbonate chemistry in Chinese coastal coral reefs? • Monitor biodiversity and community structure in Chinese coastal coral reefs using NOAA’s Autonomous Reef Monitoring Structures (ARMS)? • Monitor recruitment and calcification in Chinese coastal coral reefs using NOAA’s Calcification Acidification Units (CAUs)? • Scientist exchanges for above ocean acidification research? Thank You! Any Questions?