Research study in "New York Abu Dhabi" About the impact of climate change on coral reefs
Abu Dhabi, February 24 / WAM / A research team from New York University Abu Dhabi conducted a new study on how climate change and rising ocean temperatures affect coral reefs around the world.
The study revealed that young fish in coral reefs in the Arabian Gulf are exposed to stress when oxygen levels drop at night, a phenomenon widespread in some of the hottest coral reefs in the world. These fish consume additional energy just to recover the next day, and over time, this additional stress can affect their growth, survival, and the overall balance of coral reef ecosystems.
The study explained that the Arabian Gulf provides a window into how fish will respond in future climate scenarios, and the results can help guide efforts to preserve and protect coral reefs.
The study was conducted at the Marine Biology Laboratory at New York University Abu Dhabi and led by postdoctoral associate researcher Daniel Ripley. The researchers studied fish under low-oxygen conditions at night in the laboratory, and monitored the extent of the fish’s activity, in addition to the amount of energy required and interactions at the cellular level in their bodies.
The results showed that the fish reduced energy use as oxygen levels dropped, but once oxygen returned to normal, their bodies worked harder than usual for several hours to recover from those conditions.
Daniel Ripley said: “These fish already coexist with some of the warmest ocean conditions on Earth, and our results show that frequent drops in oxygen at night add a hidden degree of stress that may make it difficult for them to grow and survive in the long term. We found it important to understand this phenomenon because small fish play a vital role in maintaining the health of coral reef ecosystems.”
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