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RESEARCH AT MOTE
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,
OCEAN ACIDIFICATION down to the tiny microscopic life forms that affect
Ocean acidification is a reef health? Will ocean acidification and other University of Miami, Florida Atlantic University,
University of South Florida, National Oceanic and
global threat to marine Florida has the only barrier coral reef along the continental threats hit harder together? How can we restore Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Geological Survey
ecosystems, and Florida U.S., which helps attract millions of visitors and contributes dwindling reefs in more acidic waters? The potential and many more. Much more can be done to
And what does ocean acidification
about $6.3 billion to Florida’s economy. Reefs are the ocean’s
provide the scientific basis for restoring,
scientists should play “rainforests,” covering less than 1 percent of Earth’s seafloor mean for our communities? impacts are complex, conserving and sustainably utilizing
vary among
a critical role in better but supporting roughly 25 percent of marine life, including Mote Marine Laboratory — a world- species and pose healthy marine resources through strategic
economically vital fisheries.
understanding its impacts Unfortunately, research shows that coral reef organisms — class, independent marine science many unanswered leveraging of their independent efforts into
a coordinated coalition of Florida marine
institution — is spearheading key
to our state’s coastal and including threatened and endangered coral species of the Florida research using an enhance state-of-the- questions. research on ocean acidification impacts to
marine resources. Keys — can have a harder time growing and building their calcium- art ocean acidification system established through a our marine and coastal ecosystems and habitats.
rich skeletons as waters acidify. Lab experiments have also shown National Science Foundation grant and based at the Engaging our local communities directly with ocean
that ocean acidification conditions can hinder coral fertilization Mote’s Summerland Key campus. Over the last few acidification research initiatives is an important
and the settlement of coral larvae — two key steps in producing years, Mote has held three focused workshops on ocean vehicle for growing the level of understanding by the
new “babies” — in the federally protected elkhorn corals. Research acidification with scientists from across the U.S., and broader public on the threats of ocean acidification.
has also suggested that macro-algae, which compete with corals for co-sponsored an international workshop on ocean It is also vital to translate and transfer the findings
space, can fare better in more acidic waters. acidification impacts to coral reefs with partners in of science to better enable our legislators and
Israel. In 2015, Mote co-hosted a 2 international
nd
Ocean acidification has been shown to have serious — even community members to lead an effort to raise
lethal — impacts on other species, as well. Certain shellfish larvae workshop for scientists from the U.S., U.K., Cuba, Israel, awareness and secure public and private funds
may fail to build their calcium-rich first shell, which they need Jordan and Sicily — strengthening Florida’s presence as to help restore and enhance the resiliency of
to attach to a hard surface and mature. In some regions, this is a world-hub of ocean acidification research. Florida’s marine resources to the impacts of ocean
leading to serious losses of hatchery-raised oysters. More acidic Mote manages Florida’s Protect our Reefs program, acidification. Fundraising initiatives for marine
water could also affect delicate-shelled mollusks that drift as which over the last five years has supported 73 research and community research partnerships,
marine plankton and serve as food for valuable fisheries and grants focused on ocean acidification impacts to like Mote’s Oceans of Opportunity campaign
other marine life. coral reefs and improving public understanding (moteoceans.org), are a great place to start.
MOTE MARINE LABORATORY 1600 Ken Thompson Pkwy • Sarasota, FL 34236 • (941) 388 - 4441 MOTE.ORG MOTE MARINE LABORATORY 1600 Ken Thompson Pkwy • Sarasota, FL 34236 • (941) 388 - 4441 MOTE.ORG