Study of Sea Surface Temperature (SST), Does It Affect Coral Reefs?

Abstract

HighlightEffect of sea surface temperature on coral reefsCorrelation with NOAA and AQUA MODIS satellite imagery dataSea water quality analysisThe adaptability of coral reefsAbstractThis research aims to identify the influence of Sea Surface Temperature (SST) to coral disease and bleaching using MODIS-Aqua data from 2003-2009 and NOAA Coral Reef Watch data. Field-data collection on coral disease and bleaching was carried out in Bunaken National Park, Wakatobi National Park, and Raja Ampat, in August, October, and November 2009, respectively. The presence of coral disease and bleaching was observed by using time-swim method. A prevalence formula was used to calculate the percentage of coral disease and bleaching colonies. The range of mean SST value from each location: Bunaken from 26.84-31.45oC, Wakatobi from 26.09-31.95oC and Raja Ampat from 27.72-31.36oC. There is an influence of SST anomaly on the presence of dis- ease and coral bleaching. During 2003-2019, the highest SST anomaly that could increase the risk of the coral bleaching phenomenon was found in 2010. Coral disease and bleaching were found at locations with high SST anomaly, low nitrate and available phosphate. However, high SST anomalies were not a main cause of coral disease and bleaching. In many locations in Indonesia, mass-bleaching has occurred and the ability of coral adaptation is the main key in dealing with this phenomenon.

Impact of SST Anomalies on Coral Reefs Damage Based on Copula Analysis

“…The top value of SST anomaly that influences the risk of the coral bleaching was found in 2010. Bleaching and coral damage were found at locations with high SST anomaly, nitrate that has low value, and phosphate (Ampou et al, 2020).…”

Shifts in dominance of benthic communities along a gradient of water temperature and turbidity in tropical coastal ecosystems

“…The Raja Ampat islands of Southwest Papua, Indonesia, located in the center of the Coral Triangle area, are home to about 553 scleractinian coral species ( Veron et al, 2011 ), with coral coverage ranging from 25–50% ( Hadi et al, 2019 ; Purwanto et al, 2021 ). However, like other reef ecosystems worldwide, the Raja Ampat waters are facing challenges due to environmental changes associated with human activity and climate change ( Mangubhai et al, 2012 ; King, 2017 ; Ampou et al, 2020 ). The number of tourists to the Raja Ampat islands continues to rise, which may negatively impact the coastal ecosystem ( King, 2017 ; Papilaya, Boli & Nikijuluw, 2019 ; Maas et al, 2020 ; Purwanto et al, 2021 ).…”

“…The number of tourists to the Raja Ampat islands continues to rise, which may negatively impact the coastal ecosystem ( King, 2017 ; Papilaya, Boli & Nikijuluw, 2019 ; Maas et al, 2020 ; Purwanto et al, 2021 ). Coral bleaching and disease have also been observed because of environmental stresses such as seawater temperature fluctuation, decreasing salinity, high sedimentation, and turbidity ( Ampou et al, 2020 ; Johan et al, 2020 ; Subhan et al, 2020 ). Identifying the drivers of benthic community diversity in marine habitats is crucial for gaining deeper insights into how the benthic communities may shift.…”