Rocky corals evolved over 240 million years ago, with CO2 levels 5-10X and temps 10C higher.
They are not threatened by warm waters or rising seas, they adapt very fast.

http://theresilientearth.com/?q=cont...change-threats

Submitted by Doug L. Hoffman on Tue, 05/26/2009 - 15:48

Among the many catastrophes that are to befall our world due to global warming, the imminent demise
of coral reefs is one of the worst. According to climate change proponents, as waters warm the
ocean's reefs will bleach out and die, leaving the seas aquatic deserts, devoid of life. Now comes
news that scientists have discovered live, healthy corals on reefs already as hot as the oceans are
supposed to get 100 years from now, according to IPCC predictions. Looks like the corals didn't
read the IPCC reports.

Climate catastrophists have warned that more than half of the world's coral reefs could disappear
in the next 50 years, in large part because of higher ocean temperatures caused by climate change.
Supposedly, corals-tiny sea creatures that, working together, manage to build gigantic ocean
reefs-are so delicate that a shift in water temperature of little more than 1 degree Celsius can
cause them to wither and die. Corals create the most diverse ecosystems in the oceans: the
beautiful and vibrant tropical reefs. If corals were to go extinct, the repercussions would likely
affect all life on Earth.

Corals live in a symbiotic relationship with tiny, single-celled algae. It's a partnership, with
the corals provide a home for the algae and the algae provide nourishment for the corals. Rising
temperatures can stress the algae, causing them to stop producing food. The corals evict the
deadbeat algae, spit them out to fend for themselves. Without their algal partners, the reefs die
and turn stark white, an event referred to as coral bleaching.

In a report this month in Marine Ecology Progress Series, Stanford University scientists have found
evidence that some coral reefs are adapting and may actually be able to shrug off the worst of the
IPCC's predicted global warming. They discovered that some corals resist bleaching by hosting types
of algae that can handle the heat, while others swap out the heat-stressed algae for tougher,
heat-resistant strains.


"The most exciting thing was discovering live, healthy corals on reefs already as hot as the ocean
is likely to get 100 years from now," said Stephen Palumbi, a professor of biology and a senior
fellow at Stanford's Woods Institute for the Environment. "Corals are certainly threatened by
environmental change, but this research has really sparked the notion that corals may be tougher
than we thought."

For their investigations, Palumbi and Tom Oliver, a former student, traveled to Ofu Island in
American Samoa. Ofu, a tropical coral reef marine reserve, has remained healthy despite gradually
warming waters. In cooler lagoons, Oliver found only a handful of corals that host heat-resistant
algae exclusively. But in hotter pools, he observed a direct increase in the proportion of
heat-resistant symbionts, suggesting that some corals had swapped out the heat-sensitive algae for
more robust types. "These findings show that, given enough time, many corals can match hotter
environments by hosting heat-resistant symbionts," Oliver explained.

The whole matter of coral delicacy is a bit puzzling, since reef building corals have been around
since at least the Permian period. All corals in the sea, particularly the familiar kinds that form
reefs, have hard external skeletons. In a 2006 article in the Proceedings of the National Academy
of Sciences (PNAS), a team of researchers led by Allen Collins dated the origin of stony corals to
between 240 and 288 million years ago, much more closely matching the fossil record of corals than
earlier estimates.

[CO2 graph]
This means that corals survived the worst ever mass extinction event in the history of Earth-the
Permian-Triassic Extinction, 251 million years ago-and lived through the Triassic, Jurassic and
Cretaceous. During this span of nearly 200 million years, CO2 levels were 5-10 times higher than
they are now with temperatures as much as 10ºC higher than today.. After surviving the event that
killed off the dinosaurs, corals have remained the ocean's primary reef builders during the
Cenozoic era, roughly the past 63 million years. Scientists should have known that any creatures
who can live through all that are tough enough to put up with slight fluctuations in water
temperature.

[temperature graph]
Careful scientific observation has revealed another over hyped horror story, put forth as an effect
of global warming, to be inaccurate. True, many reefs do bleach and die, but others recover or
strains of organism that are better adapted to altered local conditions move in. This is the way
nature works. Given all the rapid temperature excursions in the past, the changing ocean
temperatures and sudden influxes of fresh water from giant glacial lakes, wouldn't you suspect that
corals were a bit tougher than they seem-perhaps not as individuals but as a species or genus?
While I do not believe that the IPCC's predictions regarding global warming are accurate, it is
nice to know that coral will be sticking around regardless.

Like all the other hype that surrounds global warming, the demise of the world's coral has been
greatly exaggerated. Once more the puffed-up, overwrought reports from the IPCC have been shown for
what they a committee generated collections of half truths and wild speculation buttressed by
poor science and guesswork. I have never seen so many people, claiming to be scientists, so
seemingly bent on destroying science's reputation with the public. I fear we will not soon recover
from this regrettable episode-and a whole generation of young people will turn their backs on
science and engineering, dismissing them as the work of charlatans and frauds.

Be safe, enjoy the interglacial and, above all, stay skeptical.

Of course corals are very adaptible and can handle change. Even
realtivbely fast change. There are fossil coral reefs 350 million
years old. That means they handled many global warmings and global
coolings. Coral is still with us .

However, coral bleaching does not mean the coral is dead. It means
it is under stress, yes. But it does not mean the coral is dead. There
are many things that can cause coral bleaching from stress. And it
looks like low levels of stress are actually good for the coral and
help it build resistance to stress agents.

"The corals that form the structure of the great reef ecosystems of
tropical seas depend on a symbiotic relationship with
photosynthesizing unicellular algae called zooxanthellae that live
within their tissues. Zooxanthellae give coral its particular
coloration, depending on the clade living within the coral. Under
stress, corals may expel their zooxantheallae, which leads to a
lighter or completely white appearance, hence the term "bleached"
- Hoegh-Guldberg 1999

"Once bleaching begins, corals tend to continue to bleach even if the
stressor is removed. If the coral colony survives, it often requires
weeks to months for the remaining symbiont population to reach a
normal density"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coral_bleaching

On Sun, 5 Jul 2009 19:31:40 -0700 (PDT), Catoni
wrote:

Of course corals are very adaptible and can handle change. Even
realtivbely fast change. There are fossil coral reefs 350 million
years old. That means they handled many global warmings and global
coolings. Coral is still with us .

However, coral bleaching does not mean the coral is dead. It means
it is under stress, yes. But it does not mean the coral is dead. There
are many things that can cause coral bleaching from stress. And it
looks like low levels of stress are actually good for the coral and
help it build resistance to stress agents.

"The corals that form the structure of the great reef ecosystems of
tropical seas depend on a symbiotic relationship with
photosynthesizing unicellular algae called zooxanthellae that live
within their tissues. Zooxanthellae give coral its particular
coloration, depending on the clade living within the coral. Under
stress, corals may expel their zooxantheallae, which leads to a
lighter or completely white appearance, hence the term "bleached"
- Hoegh-Guldberg 1999

"Once bleaching begins, corals tend to continue to bleach even if the
stressor is removed. If the coral colony survives, it often requires
weeks to months for the remaining symbiont population to reach a
normal density"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coral_bleaching


And the exposed coral reefs show that sea level was
higher at one time along with other evidence;

http://www.teachingboxes.org/seaLeve.../sinkholes.htm

Catatonic writhed in denials:

Of course corals are very adaptible and can handle change

Nope, wrong again..

http://environmentalism.suite101.com...to_save_corals

Cut Back On CO2 to Save Corals
Lowering CO2 Emissions is Vital to Protect the World’s Coral Reefs

If the world's levels of CO2 rise above 450 ppm, it will destroy coral
reef systems, a group of Australian scientists warns, after experiments
simulating its effect.

The scientists led by Dr Ken Anthony of the ARC Centre of Excellence for
Coral Reef Studies and Professor Ove Hoegh-Guldberg, Director of the
University of Queensland’s Centre for Marine Studies, set up experiments
on Heron Island on the Great Barrier Reef in Southeast Queensland,
simulating the effects of human-caused CO2 emissions and the resultant
warming and acidity of the waters around the reef.

The experiments measured the combined effects of warming, high CO2 and
sunlight on reef organisms placed in large aquariums for two to six months.

Professor Hoegh-Guldberg stressed that the combination of rising
temperatures and rising acidity from the CO2 was contributing to the damage.

“Both are very serious and will destroy coral dominated reef systems if
carbon dioxide rises above 450 ppm (parts per million)

“This [level] is one of the lower scenarios predicted by the
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. The two factors do not
operate on their own, and combined have a much greater impact.

“Basically, corals become much more susceptible to the effects of
temperature (bleaching, disease and mortality) when daily experiencing
acidified conditions.”
CO2's Impact On Reef Biodiversity

He warned that it would not only be coral species that would suffer from
increasing temperatures and acidity in the oceans.

“Corals are like the trees of rainforest, and provide habitat for as
many as a million species of animals, plants and protists,” Professor
Hoegh-Guldberg said.

“If you remove the corals from a coral reef, you lose the habitats and
homes of these organisms. What happens to the fish that live on coral
reefs when coral has been removed, by either mass coral bleaching or
predators such as the crown of thorns starfish, is that 50% of the
species of fish on coral reefs disappear.

“These fishes require corals for their reproduction, food and shelter.
If this is multiplied for all of the other creatures that live on coral
reefs, the losses of species from coral reefs is likely to be
catastrophic if we go into a warmer and more acidified world.”
High CO2 Levels Threaten More Than Corals

It’s not just the ocean dwellers that would suffer from levels of CO2
above 450ppm.

“It is important to realise that exceeding 450ppm CO2 in the atmosphere
will remove tropical rainforests like the Daintree, Amazon and Monte
Verde,” he warned.

“It will also destroy major wetland habitats such as Kakadu, alpine
ecosystems and a whole series of other natural ecosystems.

“With these things on the cards, life on planet Earth for humans could
become untenable.

"Any government that is contemplating emission levels that would result
in anything more than about 450 ppm, is flirting with the earth's future.”
Good Management Key to Rescuing Reefs

While the picture is grim, and he is dubious about governments’
political will to tackle global warming, there are some steps that can
be taken to minimise damage to coral reefs.

“Minimising the effects of local factors such as overfishing and poor
water quality can have a very important role in reducing the impact of
the warming and acidification of the world's oceans,” he said.

“Fishing activities cover almost every coastline throughout the tropics
and subtropics.

"While this is an important source of protein for over one billion
people, the removal of key species is causing some ecosystems to change
from coral dominated ones to those dominated by seaweeds.

“Marine pollution from chemicals and rubbish such as plastic bags play
havoc with marine organisms and ecosystems all over the world.

“Reef managers will be focusing on reducing these local stresses while
we struggle to get global emissions of CO2 under control.”

--See subject header for details..

"Bear_In_Mind" wrote in message
...
Catatonic writhed in denials:

Of course corals are very adaptible and can handle change

Nope, wrong again..

http://environmentalism.suite101.com...to_save_corals

Sorry, environmentalism is religion, not science.

Cut Back On CO2 to Save Corals
Lowering CO2 Emissions is Vital to Protect the World’s Coral Reefs

....

“It is important to realise that exceeding 450ppm CO2 in the atmosphere will remove tropical
rainforests like the Daintree, Amazon and Monte Verde,” he warned.

Unbelievable. There were far more rainforests 40M years ago because it was warmer.

“It will also destroy major wetland habitats such as Kakadu, alpine ecosystems and a whole series
of other natural ecosystems.

“With these things on the cards, life on planet Earth for humans could become untenable.

Hysterical. This guy is ****ing insane.
We don't need rain forests and alpine areas, we need farms to survive.

"Any government that is contemplating emission levels that would result in anything more than
about 450 ppm, is flirting with the earth's future.”
Good Management Key to Rescuing Reefs


“Marine pollution from chemicals and rubbish such as plastic bags play havoc with marine
organisms and ecosystems all over the world.

There is no global marine pollution, only some local.
Plastic bags have no effects, they are too rare.

“Reef managers will be focusing on reducing these local stresses while we struggle to get global
emissions of CO2 under control.”

--See subject header for details..

Eric Gisin was writhing in denials, because:

Bear_In_Mind was amused by the denialism expressed by:

Catatonic writhed in denials:

Of course corals are very adaptible and can handle change

Nope, wrong again..

http://environmentalism.suite101.com...to_save_corals

Sorry, environmentalism is religion

Sorry, denialism isn't a "sound science"..

Cut Back On CO2 to Save Corals
Lowering CO2 Emissions is Vital to Protect the World’s Coral Reefs

Cut Back On CO2 to Save Corals
Lowering CO2 Emissions is Vital to Protect the World’s Coral Reefs

If the world's levels of CO2 rise above 450 ppm,
it will destroy coral reef systems, a group of
Australian scientists warns, after experiments
simulating its effect.

The scientists led by Dr Ken Anthony of the ARC Centre
of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies and Professor
Ove Hoegh-Guldberg, Director of the University of
Queensland’s Centre for Marine Studies, set up
experiments on Heron Island on the Great Barrier Reef
in Southeast Queensland, simulating the effects of
human-caused CO2 emissions and the resultant warming
and acidity of the waters around the reef.

The experiments measured the combined effects of warming,
high CO2 and sunlight on reef organisms placed in large
aquariums for two to six months.
...
“It is important to realise that exceeding 450ppm CO2 in the
atmosphere will remove tropical rainforests like the Daintree,
Amazon and Monte Verde,” he warned.

Unbelievable

For you, in your ambitious ignorance..

But, that's "denialism" at it's best..

There were far more rainforests 40M years ago

Prove it, don't expect me to take your 'say-so' for a fact..

“It will also destroy major wetland habitats such as Kakadu,
alpine ecosystems and a whole series of other natural ecosystems.

“With these things on the cards, life on planet Earth for
humans could become untenable.

Hysterical. This guy is ****ing insane.

Nope, that would again be yourself, projecting your self-centered
sociopathy of contentious ignorance..

We don't need rain forests and alpine areas

Prove it, show us something that substantiates your blather,
instead of simply editing out the parts you don't understand..

"Any government that is contemplating emission levels that would
result in anything more than about 450 ppm, is flirting with the
earth's future.” Good Management Key to Rescuing Reefs
--
“Marine pollution from chemicals and rubbish such as plastic bags play
havoc with marine organisms and ecosystems all over the world.

There is no global marine pollution

Liar..

Plastic bags have no effects, they are too rare.

You're still underestimating intentionally..

--See subject header for details..

Bear_In_Mind wrote:

"Nope, wrong again..
http://environmentalism.suite101.com...ck_on_co2_to_s...

Cut Back On CO2 to Save Corals
Lowering CO2 Emissions is Vital to Protect the World’s Coral Reefs

If the world's levels of CO2 rise above 450 ppm, it will destroy coral
reef systems, a group of Australian scientists warns, after experiments
simulating its effect. ..."

snip rest of Gorebull Warming propaganda

Reply:
Wow ! Alarmist are getting more and more desperate
in their attempts to frighten us. But you know... they have a great
deal of difficulty when they try it on people that have fossil coral
reefs just twenty miles from them that are exposed in the Onondaga
formation just to the west of Port Colborne, Ontario.
Yeah, 350 million years ago, in the Devonian, coral reefs thrived
in temperatures and CO2 concentrations much higher then today.
Funny thing you know, During the Devonian, both temperature and CO2
were much much higher then now.

http://bucknerweb.net/images/Phanero...on_Dioxide.png

http://biocab.org/Geological_Timescale.jpg

As you can see, over the last 600 million years or so, CO2 has gone
up and down, up and down. but usually much higher then now... same
with temperature. Right now, we are on the low side for both. Coral
is still here folks....

Corals have been around for more then 400 million years, and have
somehow survived widely ranging CO2 and temperatures.

But these idiots want us to believe that they are now in
danger... ROTFLMAO Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha,

Peter Muehlbauer wrote:

Bear_In_Mind wrote:

Catatonic writhed in denials:

Of course corals are very adaptible and can handle change

Nope, wrong again..

http://environmentalism.suite101.com...to_save_corals

Cut Back On CO2 to Save Corals
Lowering CO2 Emissions is Vital to Protect the World’s Coral Reefs

If the world's levels of CO2 rise above 450 ppm, it will destroy
coral reef systems, a group of Australian scientists warns,
after experiments simulating its effect.

Wrong from your side.

That's doubtful, coming from a denialist zealot like you, Peter..

Corals are able to migrate to more promising areas

The reefs that they build cannot migrate, Peter..

There was a scientific report in 2007 (I have to look for)

You do that, go look for something factual to support
the nonsense you just posted, we can wait..

--The coral reefs cannot..

Catatonic whined impotently when the facts were presented by:

Bear_In_Mind was laughing at the ambitious ignorance expressed by:

Catatonic writhed in denials:

Of course corals are very adaptible and can handle change

Nope, wrong again..

http://environmentalism.suite101.com...to_save_corals

Cut Back On CO2 to Save Corals
Lowering CO2 Emissions is Vital to Protect the World’s Coral Reefs

If the world's levels of CO2 rise above 450 ppm, it will
destroy coral reef systems, a group of Australian scientists
warns, after experiments simulating its effect.

Wow ! Alarmist are getting more and more desperate

Wow, you're a denialist/zealot..

Funny thing you know, During the Devonian, both temperature
and CO2 were much much higher then now.

Even funnier, I doubt your ability (and credentials) to even say so..

--Much less being able to post an accurate source for your info..

Peter Muehlbauer wrote:

Bear_In_Mind was agaijn amused by the ambitious ignorance expressed by:

Peter Muehlbauer writhed in catastrophic denials, because:

Bear_In_Mind wrote:

Catatonic writhed in denials:

Of course corals are very adaptible and can handle change

Nope, wrong again..

http://environmentalism.suite101.com...to_save_corals

Cut Back On CO2 to Save Corals
Lowering CO2 Emissions is Vital to Protect the World’s Coral Reefs

If the world's levels of CO2 rise above 450 ppm, it will destroy
coral reef systems, a group of Australian scientists warns,
after experiments simulating its effect.

Wrong from your side.

That's doubtful, coming from a denialist zealot like you, Peter..

Corals are able to migrate to more promising areas

The reefs that they build cannot migrate, Peter..

There was a scientific report in 2007 (I have to look for)

You do that, go look for something factual to support
the nonsense you just posted, we can wait..

--The coral reefs cannot..

Oh, sorry. I didn't realize it

Yeah, coral reefs are stationary, and do not migrate..

They're also being devastated by the increasing acidity
of the oceans because of the oceans absorbing more CO2..

--Which was up by about 30%, last I checked..