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Climate Change on the Great Barrier Reef Management efforts and challenges

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.

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Climate Change on the Great Barrier Reef Management efforts and challenges

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  1. Climate Change on theGreat Barrier ReefManagement effortsand challenges David Wachenfeld& Paul Marshall

  2. Outline • Background • Communication • Tactical Response • Strategic Response • Conclusions

  3. 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

  4. Communication • Regular status reports • Dedicated website • Stakeholder briefings • Media– print, radio, TV • Scientific reports • Ministerial briefings

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. Remember… • Knowledge • Credibility • Empowerment

  8. 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

  9. Tactical ResponseBroad-scale surveys • From planes • Structured random surveys(n = 640) • Five point categorical scale

  10. Tactical ResponseFine scale surveys • On SCUBA • Rapid assessments + video transects • Structured random surveys(n = 27) • Targeted surveys (n = 8)

  11. Tactical ResponseWhy three types of survey?

  12. Reef condition Strategic Response Sea temperatureReduce rate and magnitude of change Increase resilience • Biodiversity • Water quality • Over-fishing “Resilience threshold”

  13. 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)

  14. Strategic Response

  15. Strategic Response

  16. 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

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