Indian Ocean Climate Change: Ningaloo Reef, a litmus test for the survival of coral reefs

珊瑚礁处于二氧化碳水平迅速上升的影响的前线，二氧化碳水平迅速上升导致全球变暖和海洋变得更加酸性。我们的研究计划将确定世界上最原始和保存最完好的珊瑚礁之一宁格鲁珊瑚礁的生存与澳大利亚印度洋对气候变化的反应之间的关系。这是第一次，我们将模拟现实的“未来”条件，看看实际的珊瑚礁系统如何反应。这将为评估世界珊瑚礁最佳生存潜力提供一个“标尺”，如果我们要确保珊瑚礁的生存，这对于支持迫切需要的减少温室气体排放的行动至关重要。

Coral reefs are at the frontline from the effects of rapidly rising levels of carbon dioxide that is causing both global warming and oceans to become more acid-like. Our research program will determine how the survival of one of the World’s most pristine and best preserved coral reefs, Ningaloo Reef, is linked to the response of Australia’s Indian Ocean to climate change. For the first time, we will simulate realistic ‘future’ conditions and see how actual coral reef systems respond. This will provide a ‘yardstick’ against which the best-case survival potential of the world’s coral reefs can be assessed, critical for underpinning the urgently needed action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions if we are to ensure the survival of coral reefs.