Page 302 - The Virgin Islands

RESEARCH AT MOTE
OCEAN ACIDIFICATION
Ocean acidification is a Florida has the only barrier coral reef along the continental
global threat to marine U.S., which helps attract millions of visitors and contributes
ecosystems, and Florida about $6.3 billion to Florida’s economy. Reefs are the ocean’s
scientists should play “rainforests,” covering less than 1 percent of Earth’s seafloor
a critical role in better but supporting roughly 25 percent of marine life, including
understanding its impacts economically vital fisheries.
to our state’s coastal and
marine resources. Unfortunately, research shows that coral reef organisms —
including threatened and endangered coral species of the Florida
Keys — can have a harder time growing and building their calcium-
rich skeletons as waters acidify. Lab experiments have also shown
that ocean acidification conditions can hinder coral fertilization
and the settlement of coral larvae — two key steps in producing
new “babies” — in the federally protected elkhorn corals. Research
has also suggested that macro-algae, which compete with corals for
space, can fare better in more acidic waters.
Ocean acidification has been shown to have serious — even
lethal — impacts on other species, as well. Certain shellfish larvae
may fail to build their calcium-rich first shell, which they need
to attach to a hard surface and mature. In some regions, this is
leading to serious losses of hatchery-raised oysters. More acidic
water could also affect delicate-shelled mollusks that drift as
marine plankton and serve as food for valuable fisheries and
other marine life.
MOTE MARINE LABORATORY 1600 Ken Thompson Pkwy • Sarasota, FL 34236 • (941) 388 - 4441 M O T E . O R G MOTE MARINE LABORATORY 1600 Ken Thompson Pkwy • Sarasota, FL 34236 • (941) 388 - 4441 M O T E . O R G
MARINE LABORATORY
OCEAN ACIDIFICATION RESEARCH AT MOTE
Though ocean acidification is an emerging threat, of ocean acidification. Mote and its partners have
it has been a focus of Florida Keys-based research also developed innovations that will help restore
for over a decade. There, scientists work to answer coral reefs in our lifetime with coral genetic strains
questions that matter to Florida and the world: most likely to be able to survive changing ocean
Which corals, shellfish and other life forms will be temperature and pH for generations to come.
“losers” or even “winners” amid ocean acidification? Ocean acidification is a key priority for many
How will ocean life change — from whole ecosystems Florida-focused scientists — including those at Mote,
down to the tiny microscopic life forms that affect University of Miami, Florida Atlantic University,
reef health? Will ocean acidification and other University of South Florida, National Oceanic and
threats hit harder together? How can we restore Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Geological Survey
dwindling reefs in more acidic waters? The potential and many more. Much more can be done to
And what does ocean acidification impacts are complex, provide the scientific basis for restoring,
mean for our communities? conserving and sustainably utilizing
vary among
Mote Marine Laboratory — a world- species and pose healthy marine resources through strategic
class, independent marine science many unanswered leveraging of their independent efforts into
institution — is spearheading key questions. a coordinated coalition of Florida marine
research using an enhance state-of-the- research on ocean acidification impacts to
art ocean acidification system established through a our marine and coastal ecosystems and habitats.
National Science Foundation grant and based at the Engaging our local communities directly with ocean
Mote’s Summerland Key campus. Over the last few acidification research initiatives is an important
years, Mote has held three focused workshops on ocean vehicle for growing the level of understanding by the
acidification with scientists from across the U.S., and broader public on the threats of ocean acidification.
co-sponsored an international workshop on ocean It is also vital to translate and transfer the findings
acidification impacts to coral reefs with partners in of science to better enable our legislators and
Israel. In 2015, Mote co-hosted a 2nd international community members to lead an effort to raise
workshop for scientists from the U.S., U.K., Cuba, Israel, awareness and secure public and private funds
Jordan and Sicily — strengthening Florida’s presence as to help restore and enhance the resiliency of
a world-hub of ocean acidification research. Florida’s marine resources to the impacts of ocean
Mote manages Florida’s Protect our Reefs program, acidification. Fundraising initiatives for marine
which over the last five years has supported 73 research and community research partnerships,
grants focused on ocean acidification impacts to like Mote’s Oceans of Opportunity campaign
coral reefs and improving public understanding (moteoceans.org), are a great place to start.