Authors
Rachel Przeslawski, Shane Ahyong, Maria Byrne, Gert Woerheide, PAT Hutchings
Publication date
2008/12
Journal
Global Change Biology
Volume
14
Issue
12
Pages
2773-2795
Publisher
Blackwell Publishing Ltd
Description
Climate change is threatening tropical reefs across the world, with most scientists agreeing that the current changes in climate conditions are occurring at a much faster rate than in the past and are potentially beyond the capacity of reefs to adapt and recover. Current research in tropical ecosystems focuses largely on corals and fishes, although other benthic marine invertebrates provide crucial services to reef systems, with roles in nutrient cycling, water quality regulation, and herbivory. We review available information on the effects of environmental conditions associated with climate change on noncoral tropical benthic invertebrates, including inferences from modern and fossil records. Increasing sea surface temperatures may decrease survivorship and increase the developmental rate, as well as alter the timing of gonad development, spawning, and food availability. The broad latitudinal distribution and …
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