This volume covers the causes and consequences of coral bleaching in various geographical regions. The analysis spans from individual colonies to larger ecosystems and also discusses how it can be detected and quantified. Future scenarios are probed.

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.

A completely updated and revised second edition Provides new insights into the causes and consequences of coral bleaching Includes more than 50 % more new references than the first edition

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

Inhalt

Introduction: Coral Bleaching Patterns, Processes, Causes and Consequences.- The Evolution of the Coral-Algal Symbiosis and Coral Bleaching in the Geologic Past.- Coral Bleaching in Space and Time.- Climate Variability and Change: Monitoring Data and Evidence for Increased Coral Bleaching Stress.- Detecting and Monitoring Coral Bleaching Events.- Bleaching Resistance and the Role of Algal Endosymbionts.- How does the Coral Microbiome Cause, Respond to or Modulate the Bleaching Process?- Cell Biology of Coral Bleaching.- Bleaching and Mortality Thresholds: How Much is too Much?- Consequences of Coral Bleaching for Sessile Reef Organisms.- Effects of Coral Bleaching and Coral Loss on the Structure and Function of Reef Fish Assemblages.- Ocean Acidification and Coral Bleaching.- Future Scenarios: a Review of Modelling Efforts to Predict the Future of Coral Reefs in an Era of Climate Change.- Synthesis: Coral Bleaching Patterns, Processes, Causes and Consequences.