Sunday, December 2, 2007

FORUM TOPIC (Chapter 14, Page 323 - Critical Thinking Q2)

Scientists predict that the ocean will get warmer and the sea level will rise as a result of an intensified greenhouse effect. How might this affect coral reefs?
A prediction of how global warming will affect the marine environment is that the flow of some major ocean currents may change, affecting many marine ecosystems. Already stressed ecosystems such as mangrove forests and estauries will be flooded; coral reefs may not grow fast enough to keep up with rising sea levels.
CITE
Marine Biology Sixth Edition - Peter Castro/Michael E. Huber
Living in a Greenhouse: Our Warming Earth, pages 406 & 407