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Tropical climate extremes and coral reefs

Nov 29, 2023
A coral reef in the northern Red Sea. Photo: MARUM - Center for Marine Environmental Sciences, University of Bremen, T.Felis
A coral reef in the northern Red Sea. Photo: MARUM– Center for Marine Environmental Sciences, University of Bremen; T. Felis

Researchers from the DFG Priority Program "Tropical Climate Variability & Coral Reefs" (SPP 2299) are meeting at the University of Bremen this week for their first status seminar.

The tropics are the heat engine of our planet. As it warms, increasing occurrences of heatwaves, droughts, floods and cyclones affect the lives of billions of people and destructively impact tropical ecosystems. We are starting to see extremes never previously observed. Tropical coral reefs are one of the most vulnerable ecosystems to climate change, as they are sensitive to heat stress that causes coral bleaching and mortality. If coral reefs are lost, there will be large follow-on effects with major losses of marine species, and food sources for large populations, while also impacting the stability of tropical coasts. The first status seminar is being held just before the end of a devastating 2023, characterized by record global temperatures, regional weather extremes, an unusually early onset of coral bleaching in the Atlantic and an evolving El Niño in the tropical Pacific.

The Priority Program aims to improve our understanding of tropical climate variability and its impacts on coral reef ecosystems in a warming world. This improved understanding comes from prior to the start of instrumental climate observations and coral reef monitoring, extending our current knowledge. Some species of coral grow annual bands in their skeletons like tree rings, and these continuously record changes in their environment, including changes in temperature during their lifetime. Corals themselves can provide us with answers from the past on how to best protect them, as well as the tropical communities who depend on these ecosystems and suffer most from climate extremes.

Researcher of the DFG Priority Programme „Tropical Climate Variability & Coral Reefs“ (SPP 2299) at their first status seminar at the University of Bremen in November 2023. Photo: MARUM - Center for Marine Environmental Sciences, University of Bremen, V.Diekamp
Researcher of the DFG Priority Programme „Tropical Climate Variability & Coral Reefs“ (SPP 2299) at their first status seminar at the University of Bremen in November 2023. Photo: MARUM - Center for Marine Environmental Sciences, University of Bremen, V.Diekamp
More than 40 researchers from 15 institutions across Germany meet at the University of Bremen for the first status seminar of the DFG Priority Program
More than 40 researchers from 15 institutions across Germany meet at the University of Bremen for the first status seminar of the DFG Priority Program "Tropical Climate Variability & Coral Reefs" (SPP 2299). Photo: MARUM - Center for Marine Environmental Sciences, University of Bremen, T.Felis

The program brings together over 40 researchers from 15 institutions across Germany (10 universities, 3 Helmholtz Centers, 1 Max Planck Institute, 1 Leibniz Centre) using novel geochemical and isotopic tools applied to coral skeletons, along with advanced statistical methods and earth system modelling to not only understand past and future tropical climate but also coral responses to past and future heat stress. The unique interdisciplinary nature of the participants and the ability to focus on different scales in time and space will help broaden our perspectives and better prepare for the warmer future we are entering into.

The Priority Program (SPP 2299) has been running since last year, with the first phase of the program coordinated by Dr. Thomas Felis from MARUM – Center for Marine Environmental Sciences at the University of Bremen. In addition to the coordination, MARUM is involved in the Priority Program with four scientific projects and a total of eight researchers. The Status Seminar will conclude with a workshop for female early career researchers within the program.

 

More information:

Contact:

Dr. Thomas Felis
Coral Paleoclimatology
Phone: +49 421 218-65751
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