MODULE 4 PART 3
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University of Florida *
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2200L
Subject
Geography
Date
Feb 20, 2024
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3
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Module 4, Part 3: Using Data to Identify Hotspots and Predict Bleaching Events
Instructions In this module, you will read the information, watch the brief videos either embedded or given as links, and briefly answer the 'Stop and Think' Questions to turn in for grading. The questions are compiled here for Part 3 of the Corals Module. Please answer all questions.
Name: Paige Minkin Questions 1:
Approximately 1 million species worldwide depend on coral reefs for survival. Based on what you observed in the maps of bleached corals, what impact do you think coral bleaching has on biodiversity and the overall health of coral reef ecosystems? Explain your answer. Coral bleaching, as evident in the maps, severely impacts biodiversity and coral reef health by stressing and potentially causing mortality in corals. With approximately 1 million species relying on coral reefs, the decline in coral health disrupts the ecological balance, leading to habitat and food source loss for dependent organisms and a consequent decline in overall biodiversity. 2:
Were any areas above the bleaching threshold? Explain your answer. Yes, some areas, particularly in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, were above the bleaching threshold. The elevated sea surface temperatures in these regions likely surpassed the threshold, contributing to increased coral stress and the occurrence of bleaching events. 3
: Did you identify any areas where you would expect to see significant or widespread bleaching? Explain. Yes, significant or widespread bleaching is expected in the Atlantic Ocean, as indicated by areas with elevated sea surface temperatures. These regions are likely experiencing thermal stress, which can lead to widespread coral bleaching events, compromising the health of coral reefs in the Atlantic. 4
: Over what time period, if any, do you think significant bleaching occurred? Explain. Significant bleaching appears to have occurred over the time period between 1985 and 2016, as suggested by the data. The visuals illustrate an increase in the frequency and severity of bleaching events during this timeframe, indicating a period of heightened stress and vulnerability for coral reefs in the Florida Keys. 5
: Looking at the Florida Keys, does the data demonstrate an increase in the frequency of severe bleaching events over the four decades between 1985 and 2016? Why or why not? Yes, the data for the Florida Keys indicates an increase in the frequency of severe bleaching events between 1985 and 2016, likely influenced by factors such as climate change and rising sea temperatures. 6
: What two other sites did you compare? Did these two sites also show an increase in the frequency of severe bleaching events between 1985 and 2016? Why or why not? Climate change has caused a fivefold increase in coral reef bleaching events globally over the past 40 years, with the proportion of coral affected rising from 8% in the 1980s to 31% in 2016. The frequency of bleaching events has also risen significantly, posing a
threat to coral reef ecosystems. The findings highlight the urgent need to address climate change to protect these vital marine environments. 7: Do the Coral Reef Watch virtual stations do an adequate job of indicating all possible global bleaching events? Explain.
While the Coral Reef Watch virtual stations are valuable for indicating potential global bleaching events using satellite data, they may not capture all events, especially localized or rapid bleaching events. Enhancements in data sources and spatial resolution could further improve their accuracy in monitoring coral bleaching globally.
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