One of the most serious consequences of global climate change for coral reefs is the increased frequency and severity of mass coral bleaching events and, since the first edition of this volume was published in 2009, there have been additional mass coral bleaching events. This book provides comprehensive information on the causes and consequences of coral bleaching for coral reef ecosystems, from the genes and microbes involved in the bleaching response, to individual coral colonies and whole reef systems. It presents detailed analyses of how coral bleaching can be detected and quantified and reviews future scenarios based on modeling efforts and the potential mechanisms of acclimatisation and adaptation. It also briefly discusses emerging research areas that focus on the development of innovative interventions aiming to increase coral climate resilience and restore reefs.

Autorentext

Madeleine J.H. van Oppen****
Australian Institute of Marine Science, PMB 3, Townsville MC, Queensland 4810, Australia and School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
e-mail: madeleine.van@unimelb.edu.au

J.M. Lough
Australian Institute of Marine Science, PMB 3, Townsville MC, Queensland 4810, Australia and ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland 4811, Australia
e-mail: j.lough@aims.gov.au

Zusammenfassung

One of the most dire consequences of global climate change for coral reefs is the increased frequency and severity of mass coral bleaching events. This volume provides information on the causes and consequences of coral bleaching for coral reef ecosystems, from the level of individual colonies to ecosystems and at different spatial scales, as well as a detailed analysis of how it can be detected and quantified. Future scenarios based on modelling efforts and the potential mechanisms of acclimatisation and adaptation are reviewed. The much more severe coral bleaching events experienced on Caribbean coral reefs (compared with those of the Indo-Pacific) are discussed, as are the differences in bleaching susceptibility and recovery that have been observed on smaller geographic scales.

Inhalt
List of chapters (the authors have already agreed) 1.      Introduction: Coral Bleaching: Patterns, Processes, Causes and Consequences

JM Lough 

2.      2 The evolution of the coral-algal symbiosis

GD Stanley 

3.      Coral bleaching in space and time

JK Oliver 

4.      The 2014-2016 El Niño and coral bleaching events (new chapter)