170 likes | 308 Views
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.
E N D
Climate Change on theGreat Barrier ReefManagement effortsand 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 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
Communication • Regular status reports • Dedicated website • Stakeholder briefings • Media– print, radio, TV • Scientific reports • Ministerial briefings
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
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
Remember… • Knowledge • Credibility • Empowerment
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
Tactical ResponseBroad-scale surveys • From planes • Structured random surveys(n = 640) • Five point categorical scale
Tactical ResponseFine scale surveys • On SCUBA • Rapid assessments + video transects • Structured random surveys(n = 27) • Targeted surveys (n = 8)
Reef condition Strategic Response Sea temperatureReduce rate and magnitude of change Increase resilience • Biodiversity • Water quality • Over-fishing “Resilience threshold”
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)
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