Marine conservation efforts are often focused on increasing stocks of species with low population... more Marine conservation efforts are often focused on increasing stocks of species with low population abundances by reducing mortality or enhancing recruitment. However, global changes in climate and ocean chemistry are density-independent factors that can strongly affect corals whether they are scarce or abundant—sometimes, the abundant corals are most affected. Because reproductive corals are sessile, density-independent effects of global changes such as physiological stress and resultant mortality can decouple stock abundance from recruitment and may accelerate the downward spiral of their reproductive rates.
Emissions of anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO2) to the atmosphere and the
consequent effects of ... more Emissions of anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO2) to the atmosphere and the
consequent effects of climate change and ocean acidification on coral reef ecosystems have
motivated significant interest in describing and understanding the CO2–carbonic acid system
of diverse coral reef environments. Although numerous studies have been successful in
monitoring reef metabolism both in the field and in the laboratory, physical and biological
forcings produce distinct conditions among environments. Due to the geographic isolation
and associated difficulties with measuring marine carbon chemistry in waters of the Papaha
¯naumokua¯kea Marine National Monument (PMNM), relatively few studies have described
the CO2–carbonic acid system and carbonate saturation state gradients of these waters. Yet,
PMNM remains one of the largest conservation areas in the world with extensive and diverse
coral reef ecosystems that could offer valuable insight into our current and future understanding
about regional and global impacts of ocean acidification. In order to provide a broad
overview of latitudinal trends and features of the marine carbon system in PMNM waters,
continuous measurements for surface seawater fugacity of CO2 (fCO2) and pH were collected
during August 2011 and July 2012 cruises of the NOAA Ship Hi’ialakai. These measurements indicate that pH and fCO2 are three times more variable in nearshore monument
waters relative to open ocean transect measurements. This variability can be observed
up to 50 km away from the nearest reef and is likely the result of the direct and significant
impact of coral reef metabolism on marine carbon chemistry around the islands and atolls.
The relationship between total alkalinity and dissolved inorganic carbon is consistent with
net calcification which creates an alkalinity sink throughout PMNMwaters. Additionally, our
measurements show clear latitudinal trends in fCO2, pH, and aragonite saturation state that
are influenced by environmental forcings, including temperature, wind speed, and residence
time of the water. Collectively, our results suggest that coral reefs located at the northernmost
atolls of PMNM may be the most susceptible to the adverse impacts of climate change
and ocean acidification.
As one of the most isolated archipelagos in the world, Hawaii possesses some of the highest level... more As one of the most isolated archipelagos in the world, Hawaii possesses some of the highest levels of marine endemic species in the world. This chain of islands stretches for more than 2,500 km from the island of Hawaii in the southeast to Kure Atoll (the world's highest latitude atoll) in the northwest. The archipelago consists of two regions: the
Determining whether a species warrants listing as threatened or endangered under the U.S. Endange... more Determining whether a species warrants listing as threatened or endangered under the U.S. Endangered Species Act depends on the government's assessment of the species’ extinction risk, usually in response to a petition. Deciding whether data are sufficient to make a listing determination is a challenging part of the process. We examined three case studies involving corals. A petition for deep-sea corals was rejected for full status review of the species, based on insufficient information on population trends and threats. Information on threats for 82 tropical corals was sufficient to propose listing of 66 species. Significant population declines and identified threats resulted in listing two Atlantic Acropora corals as ‘Threatened’. There was no decrease in journal publication rate on the Acropora species after that listing, and no decrease in research permit applications in marine protected areas. However, the effects of listings on research that might help to sustain or recover species remains largely unknown.
Determining whether a species warrants listing as threatened or endangered under the U.S. Endange... more Determining whether a species warrants listing as threatened or endangered under the U.S. Endangered Species Act depends on the government's assessment of the species’ extinction risk, usually in response to a petition. Deciding whether data are sufficient to make a listing determination is a challenging part of the process. We examined three case studies involving corals. A petition for deep-sea corals was rejected for full status review of the species, based on insufficient information on population trends and threats. Information on threats for 82 tropical corals was sufficient to propose listing of 66 species. Significant population declines and identified threats resulted in listing two Atlantic Acropora corals as ‘Threatened’. There was no decrease in journal publication rate on the Acropora species after that listing, and no decrease in research permit applications in marine protected areas. However, the effects of listings on research that might help to sustain or recove...
Marine conservation efforts are often focused on increasing stocks of species with low population... more Marine conservation efforts are often focused on increasing stocks of species with low population abundances by reducing mortality or enhancing recruitment. However, global changes in climate and ocean chemistry are density-independent factors that can strongly affect corals whether they are scarce or abundant—sometimes, the abundant corals are most affected. Because reproductive corals are sessile, density-independent effects of global changes such as physiological stress and resultant mortality can decouple stock abundance from recruitment and may accelerate the downward spiral of their reproductive rates.
Emissions of anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO2) to the atmosphere and the
consequent effects of ... more Emissions of anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO2) to the atmosphere and the
consequent effects of climate change and ocean acidification on coral reef ecosystems have
motivated significant interest in describing and understanding the CO2–carbonic acid system
of diverse coral reef environments. Although numerous studies have been successful in
monitoring reef metabolism both in the field and in the laboratory, physical and biological
forcings produce distinct conditions among environments. Due to the geographic isolation
and associated difficulties with measuring marine carbon chemistry in waters of the Papaha
¯naumokua¯kea Marine National Monument (PMNM), relatively few studies have described
the CO2–carbonic acid system and carbonate saturation state gradients of these waters. Yet,
PMNM remains one of the largest conservation areas in the world with extensive and diverse
coral reef ecosystems that could offer valuable insight into our current and future understanding
about regional and global impacts of ocean acidification. In order to provide a broad
overview of latitudinal trends and features of the marine carbon system in PMNM waters,
continuous measurements for surface seawater fugacity of CO2 (fCO2) and pH were collected
during August 2011 and July 2012 cruises of the NOAA Ship Hi’ialakai. These measurements indicate that pH and fCO2 are three times more variable in nearshore monument
waters relative to open ocean transect measurements. This variability can be observed
up to 50 km away from the nearest reef and is likely the result of the direct and significant
impact of coral reef metabolism on marine carbon chemistry around the islands and atolls.
The relationship between total alkalinity and dissolved inorganic carbon is consistent with
net calcification which creates an alkalinity sink throughout PMNMwaters. Additionally, our
measurements show clear latitudinal trends in fCO2, pH, and aragonite saturation state that
are influenced by environmental forcings, including temperature, wind speed, and residence
time of the water. Collectively, our results suggest that coral reefs located at the northernmost
atolls of PMNM may be the most susceptible to the adverse impacts of climate change
and ocean acidification.
As one of the most isolated archipelagos in the world, Hawaii possesses some of the highest level... more As one of the most isolated archipelagos in the world, Hawaii possesses some of the highest levels of marine endemic species in the world. This chain of islands stretches for more than 2,500 km from the island of Hawaii in the southeast to Kure Atoll (the world's highest latitude atoll) in the northwest. The archipelago consists of two regions: the
Determining whether a species warrants listing as threatened or endangered under the U.S. Endange... more Determining whether a species warrants listing as threatened or endangered under the U.S. Endangered Species Act depends on the government's assessment of the species’ extinction risk, usually in response to a petition. Deciding whether data are sufficient to make a listing determination is a challenging part of the process. We examined three case studies involving corals. A petition for deep-sea corals was rejected for full status review of the species, based on insufficient information on population trends and threats. Information on threats for 82 tropical corals was sufficient to propose listing of 66 species. Significant population declines and identified threats resulted in listing two Atlantic Acropora corals as ‘Threatened’. There was no decrease in journal publication rate on the Acropora species after that listing, and no decrease in research permit applications in marine protected areas. However, the effects of listings on research that might help to sustain or recover species remains largely unknown.
Determining whether a species warrants listing as threatened or endangered under the U.S. Endange... more Determining whether a species warrants listing as threatened or endangered under the U.S. Endangered Species Act depends on the government's assessment of the species’ extinction risk, usually in response to a petition. Deciding whether data are sufficient to make a listing determination is a challenging part of the process. We examined three case studies involving corals. A petition for deep-sea corals was rejected for full status review of the species, based on insufficient information on population trends and threats. Information on threats for 82 tropical corals was sufficient to propose listing of 66 species. Significant population declines and identified threats resulted in listing two Atlantic Acropora corals as ‘Threatened’. There was no decrease in journal publication rate on the Acropora species after that listing, and no decrease in research permit applications in marine protected areas. However, the effects of listings on research that might help to sustain or recove...
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Papers by Russell e. Brainard
consequent effects of climate change and ocean acidification on coral reef ecosystems have
motivated significant interest in describing and understanding the CO2–carbonic acid system
of diverse coral reef environments. Although numerous studies have been successful in
monitoring reef metabolism both in the field and in the laboratory, physical and biological
forcings produce distinct conditions among environments. Due to the geographic isolation
and associated difficulties with measuring marine carbon chemistry in waters of the Papaha
¯naumokua¯kea Marine National Monument (PMNM), relatively few studies have described
the CO2–carbonic acid system and carbonate saturation state gradients of these waters. Yet,
PMNM remains one of the largest conservation areas in the world with extensive and diverse
coral reef ecosystems that could offer valuable insight into our current and future understanding
about regional and global impacts of ocean acidification. In order to provide a broad
overview of latitudinal trends and features of the marine carbon system in PMNM waters,
continuous measurements for surface seawater fugacity of CO2 (fCO2) and pH were collected
during August 2011 and July 2012 cruises of the NOAA Ship Hi’ialakai. These measurements indicate that pH and fCO2 are three times more variable in nearshore monument
waters relative to open ocean transect measurements. This variability can be observed
up to 50 km away from the nearest reef and is likely the result of the direct and significant
impact of coral reef metabolism on marine carbon chemistry around the islands and atolls.
The relationship between total alkalinity and dissolved inorganic carbon is consistent with
net calcification which creates an alkalinity sink throughout PMNMwaters. Additionally, our
measurements show clear latitudinal trends in fCO2, pH, and aragonite saturation state that
are influenced by environmental forcings, including temperature, wind speed, and residence
time of the water. Collectively, our results suggest that coral reefs located at the northernmost
atolls of PMNM may be the most susceptible to the adverse impacts of climate change
and ocean acidification.
consequent effects of climate change and ocean acidification on coral reef ecosystems have
motivated significant interest in describing and understanding the CO2–carbonic acid system
of diverse coral reef environments. Although numerous studies have been successful in
monitoring reef metabolism both in the field and in the laboratory, physical and biological
forcings produce distinct conditions among environments. Due to the geographic isolation
and associated difficulties with measuring marine carbon chemistry in waters of the Papaha
¯naumokua¯kea Marine National Monument (PMNM), relatively few studies have described
the CO2–carbonic acid system and carbonate saturation state gradients of these waters. Yet,
PMNM remains one of the largest conservation areas in the world with extensive and diverse
coral reef ecosystems that could offer valuable insight into our current and future understanding
about regional and global impacts of ocean acidification. In order to provide a broad
overview of latitudinal trends and features of the marine carbon system in PMNM waters,
continuous measurements for surface seawater fugacity of CO2 (fCO2) and pH were collected
during August 2011 and July 2012 cruises of the NOAA Ship Hi’ialakai. These measurements indicate that pH and fCO2 are three times more variable in nearshore monument
waters relative to open ocean transect measurements. This variability can be observed
up to 50 km away from the nearest reef and is likely the result of the direct and significant
impact of coral reef metabolism on marine carbon chemistry around the islands and atolls.
The relationship between total alkalinity and dissolved inorganic carbon is consistent with
net calcification which creates an alkalinity sink throughout PMNMwaters. Additionally, our
measurements show clear latitudinal trends in fCO2, pH, and aragonite saturation state that
are influenced by environmental forcings, including temperature, wind speed, and residence
time of the water. Collectively, our results suggest that coral reefs located at the northernmost
atolls of PMNM may be the most susceptible to the adverse impacts of climate change
and ocean acidification.