Sam Noonan - AIMS@JCU

Sam Noonan

s.noonan@aims.gov.au1

PhD
College of Science and Engineering

Sam Noonan

s.noonan@aims.gov.au1

PhD
College of Science and Engineering
Responses of corals and coral reef ecosystems to ocean acidification under variable temperature and light

I am a coral reef ecologist with a focus on coral physiology. I work in the Cumulative Stressors and Critical Thresholds Team at the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS). My work spans several research projects investigating the interactions between local and global anthropogenic stressors on coral reefs.

Responses of corals and coral reef ecosystems to ocean acidification under variable temperature and light

2020 to 2028

Project Description

Ocean acidification (OA) is predicted to negatively affect coral reefs. Here we use a combination of studies based at field sites with naturally elevated CO2, in conjunction with multi-factor experiments, to determine how the physiology of corals and the development of benthic coral reef communities will be shaped into the future. Specifically we assess how coral acclimation and physiology (photosynthesis, bleaching, calcification etc.) is affected by increased CO2, and how this response is modified by increased temperature and light variability. Finally we examine how coral benthic communities develop under elevated CO2 and the effects this has on community metabolism.

Project Importance

Understanding how coral will respond to a variety of stressors provides cause for implementing preventative management strategies.

Project Methods

A series of field surveys and experiments at volcanic seeps in PNG where CO2 is naturally elevated. Plus controlled multifactor experiments at AIMS's SeaSim.

Project Results

How ocean acidification will interact with other stressors to affect corals and coral reef benthic communities.

Keywords

Benthic,
Climate change,
Coastal development,
Coral reefs,
Corals,
Ecology,
Field based,
Genetics,
Interaction,
Manipulative experiments,
Ocean acidification,
Ocean warming,
Physiology