July 18, 2001

FAMOUS CORAL REEFS DAMAGED DUE TO GLOBAL WARMING WILL TAKE A CENTURY TO RECOVER, SAYS NEW RESEARCH

As world leaders meet in Bonn for climate change talks following the stalled Kyoto agreement, new research has revealed coral reefs damaged as a result of global warming in one of the world's most exclusive diving areas will take at least a century to recover.

Huge swathes of the coral at Rangiroa in French Polynesia died during three months of exceptionally warm weather in 1998, when sea temperatures soared to 34 degrees centigrade for the first time.

Research by Newcastle University's Department of Marine Sciences and Coastal Management has shown damage to the 800-year old coral reefs was catastrophic, and that it would take more than 100 years to return to its former glory.

Dr Peter Mumby, Royal Society Research Fellow at the University said: "Usually when sea temperatures rise, the coral usually withers slightly but is able to recover.

"But in 1998 global warming caused the sea temperatures to soar to incredibly high levels. Temperatures were at an average of 32 degrees centigrade and in some areas of the ocean there were sustained temperatures of 33-34 degrees. In previous years temperatures averaged at 28 degrees.

"This caused the corals to die, and damage like this can only be rectified over the long term - we think about 100 years."

Divers from all over the world enjoy the spectacular natural environment at Rangiroa. As well as the coral reefs, it has one of the most wide ranging selection of wildlife in the world - whales, dolphins, turtles and manta rays. The lagoon is also a pearl farming area and a mecca for hundreds of wealthy tourists each year.

Michael Meacher and Environment Secretary Margaret Beckett will be among world politicians meeting in Bonn in an attempt to implement rules of the Kyoto agreement, which was stalled in The Hague last November. Their task has been made difficult due to the USA's rejection of the protocol.

NB: This research was first published in the journal Marine Biology. The paper is available in PDF format from either Dr Mumby or the press office.

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CONTACTS:
Dr Peter Mumby
+44 (0)191 222 6228
p.j.mumby@ncl.ac.uk

Claire Jordan
Mick Warwicker
Melanie Reed
Newcastle University Press Office
+44 (0)191 222 6067/7850

This text derived from http://www.ncl.ac.uk/press.office/press.release/content.phtml?ref=995449704

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