Climate change impacts on U.S. Coastal and Marine Ecosystems

Abstract

Increases in concentrations of greenhouse gases projected for the 21st century are expected to lead to increased mean global air and ocean temperatures. The National Assessment of Potential Consequences of Climate Variability and Change (NAST 2001) was based on a series of regional and sector assessments. This paper is a summary of the coastal and marine resources sector review of potential impacts on shorelines, estuaries, coastal wetlands, coral reefs, and ocean margin ecosystems. The assessment considered the impacts of several key drivers of climate change: sea level change; alterations in precipitation patterns and subsequent delivery of freshwater, nutrients, and sediment; increased ocean temperature; alterations in circulation patterns; changes in frequency and intensity of coastal storms; and increased levels of atmospheric CO •. Increasing rates of sea-level rise and intensity and frequency of coastal storms and hurricanes over the next decades will increase threats to shorelines, wetlands, and coastal development. Estuarine productivity will change in response to alteration in the timing and amount of freshwater, nutrients, and sediment delivery. Higher water temperatures and changes in freshwater delivery will alter estuarine stratification, residence time, and eutrophication. Increased ocean temperatures are expected to increase coral bleaching and higher CO. levels may reduce coral calcification, making it more difficult for corals to recover from other disturbances, and inhibiting poleward shifts. Ocean warming is expected to cause poleward shifts in the ranges of many other organisms, including commercial species, and these shifts may have secondary effects on their predators and prey. Although these potential impacts of climate change and variability will vary from system to system, it is important to recognize that they will be superimposed

The toxicology of climate change: Environmental contaminants in a warming world

“…While some species and populations may be especially vulnerable to climate change, it is important to recognize that these impacts will be concomitant with and in some cases exacerbated by other ecosystem stressors, notably chemical pollution, invasive species, over-harvesting, habitat destruction, and pathogens. The superimposition of these increasingly common ecosystem stressors with the rapidly changing climate could further hinder wildlife acclimation and adaptation to climate change (Cook et al, 1998;Fischlin et al, 2007;Macdonald et al, 2005;Occhipinti-Ambrogi, 2007;Scavia et al, 2002). The IPCC projects that ecosystem resilience in many regions is likely to be exceeded this century by an unprecedented combination of climate change disturbances and these many other anthropogenic and natural stressors (Fischlin et al, 2007).…”

Rising air and stream-water temperatures in Chesapeake Bay region, USA

“…From a biological standpoint, rising WT of both freshwater and estuarine systems alters species ranges and community composition of phytoplankton (Coles and Jones 2000), submerged aquatic vegetation (Short and Neckles 1999;Najjar et al 2010), and fish (Beitinger et al 2000;Isaak et al 2012). From a physical standpoint, warming of waters decreases dissolved oxygen and can cause changes in density, circulation patterns, and stratification (Scavia et al 2002;Harley et al 2006;Najjar et al 2010). From a biogeochemical standpoint, eutrophication-a world-wide problem of polluted estuaries (Bricker et al 2007)-is expected to worsen as WT rise (Scavia et al 2002;Rabalais et al 2009;Najjar et al 2010).…”

A Conceptual List of Indicators for Urban Planning and Management Based on Earth Observation

“…Increase of greenhouse gas emissions leads to an increase of air and water temperatures. During the last 100 years, the sea level has risen 10-20 cm and over the next 100 years this value is expected to further increase due to climate change [65]. As a result, it is more likely that severe events (e.g., floods, heat waves) might occur, with a negative impact on human life.…”