title: Ocean acidification: Linking science to management solutions using the Great Barrier Reef as a case study.
abstract: Coral reefs are one of the most vulnerable ecosystems to ocean acidification. While our understanding of the potential impacts of ocean acidification on coral reef ecosystems is growing, gaps remain that limit our ability to translate scientific knowledge into management action. To guide solution-based research, we review the current knowledge of ocean acidification impacts on coral reefs alongside management needs and priorities. We use the world's largest continuous reef system, Australia's Great Barrier Reef (GBR), as a case study. We integrate scientific knowledge gained from a variety of approaches (e.g., laboratory studies, field observations, and ecosystem modelling) and scales (e.g., cell, organism, ecosystem) that underpin a systems-level understanding of how ocean acidification is likely to impact the GBR and associated goods and services. We then discuss local and regional management options that may be effective to help mitigate the effects of ocean acidification on the GBR, with likely application to other coral reef systems. We develop a research framework for linking solution-based ocean acidification research to practical management options. The framework assists in identifying effective and cost-efficient options for supporting ecosystem resilience. The framework enables on-the-ground OA management to be the focus, while not losing sight of CO2 mitigation as the ultimate solution.
authors: Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, QLD 4810, Australia; Carnegie Institution for Science, Department of Global Ecology, Stanford, CA, USA. Electronic address: ralbright@calacademy.org.
authors: Rebecca
authors: R
authors: Albright
authors: Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, QLD 4810, Australia.
authors: Kenneth R N
authors: KRN
authors: Anthony
authors: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Oceans and Atmosphere Flagship, Hobart, Australia.
authors: Mark
authors: M
authors: Baird
authors: Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, PO Box 1379, Townsville, Queensland 4810, Australia.
authors: Roger
authors: R
authors: Beeden
authors: Schools of Medical and Biological Sciences, University of Sydney, Australia.
authors: Maria
authors: M
authors: Byrne
authors: Centre for Tropical Water and Aquatic Ecosystem Research, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD 4870, Australia.
authors: Catherine
authors: C
authors: Collier
authors: Global Change Institute and ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia.
authors: Sophie
authors: S
authors: Dove
authors: Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, QLD 4810, Australia.
authors: Katharina
authors: K
authors: Fabricius
authors: Global Change Institute and ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia.
authors: Ove
authors: O
authors: Hoegh-Guldberg
authors: School of Marine and Environmental Affairs, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105, USA.
authors: Ryan P
authors: RP
authors: Kelly
authors: Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, QLD 4810, Australia; ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia.
authors: Janice
authors: J
authors: Lough
authors: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Oceans and Atmosphere Flagship, Hobart, Australia.
authors: Mathieu
authors: M
authors: Mongin
authors: ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia.
authors: Philip L
authors: PL
authors: Munday
authors: Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, PO Box 1379, Townsville, Queensland 4810, Australia.
authors: Rachel J
authors: RJ
authors: Pears
authors: Swire Institute of Marine Science and School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China.
authors: Bayden D
authors: BD
authors: Russell
authors: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Oceans and Atmosphere Flagship, Hobart, Australia.
authors: Bronte
authors: B
authors: Tilbrook
authors: University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia.
authors: Eva
authors: E
authors: Abal
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001315:Australia; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources / Q000379:methods*; D057894:Coral Reefs; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D017753:Ecosystem; D005398:Fisheries; D005399:Fishes; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008386:Marine Biology; D009792:Oceans and Seas
keywords: Climate change; Conservation; Coral reefs; Mitigation; Ocean acidification research; Strategic planning