Effects of Ultraviolet Radiation on the Biology of Caribbean Reef Corals

最近的研究表明，紫外线辐射可以穿透到 在热带珊瑚礁的相当深的地方持续高水平的紫外线 长时间平静海面造成的穿透 条件下，已被证明诱导应力导致损失的 共生虫黄藻（即，漂白）在造礁珊瑚。 这些条件可能对该区域的 1987年在加勒比观察到的大规模珊瑚白化事件 和1990年。 该项目将继续监测紫外线的渗透 辐射、海水温度以及暴露于紫外线的珊瑚的恢复 辐射 此外，该项目将扩大到评估 紫外线辐射对早期生命史阶段的影响， 即浮游幼虫和新招募的幼鱼， 珊瑚种类 虽然紫外线辐射的增加预计将 低纬度最低，平静海面的频率增加 全球变暖所预测的条件将导致水资源的增加， 色谱柱澄清度和高UV渗透性，随后为阴性 对珊瑚礁的影响 这个项目通过实验定义 幼虫可耐受的最大紫外线强度， 幼珊瑚，将提供洞察的作用，目前 紫外线辐射的强度在限制招募方面发挥作用， 形成珊瑚群落结构。

Recent studies indicate that ultraviolet radiation can penetrate to considerable depths on tropical reefs. Persistent high levels of UV penetration, resulting from extended periods of calm sea conditions, have been shown to induce stress leading to the loss of symbiotic zooxanthellae (i.e., bleaching) in reef-building corals. These conditions may have contributed significantly to the regional mass coral bleaching events observed in the Caribbean during 1987 and 1990. This project will continue monitoring penetration of UV radiation, sea temperatures, and recovery of coral exposed to UV radiation. In addition, the project will be expanded to evaluate the effects of UV radiation on the early life-history stages, namely planula larvae and newly-recruited juveniles, of predominant coral species. While increases in UV radiation are predicted to be minimal at low latitudes, increased frequency of calm sea conditions predicted by global warming will lead to enhanced water column clarity and high UV penetration with subsequent negative effects on reef corals. This project, by experimentally defining the maximum UV intensities that can be tolerated by larval and juveniles corals, will provide insight into the role that current intensities of UV radiation play in limiting recruitment and shaping subsequent coral community structure.