few instances, recent algae colonization was observed. The cause of the bleaching could
not be confirmed as related to the SST anomaly,
The data from this cruise revealed that the bleaching was a NWHI event, and was
not simply restricted to Midway Atoll. The most severe bleaching was observed at Pearl
& Hermes, Midway, and Kure Atolls. Additional bleaching was also observed at
Lisianski and French Frigate Shoals.
7. Bleaching Warnings for Managers
In an attempt to assist managers and non-physical scientists with the use of the
CRW product suite, a summary page, called the “Indices Page”, has been developed
(http://www.osdpd.noaa.gov/PSB/EPS/CB_indices/coral_bleaching_indices.html). This
website allows the user to zoom in on 24 individual sites (Figure 7). The initial page
allows a quick look at the crucial numbers associated with the CRW products, including
the names and locations of sites. For each site the current DHW value, the maximum
(record) DHW value for that site since 1985, the current SST and the value of the
MMM climatology for that site are provided (Figure 7). Together these values provide
an index of potential bleaching.
By clicking on the location within each individual box (see Figure 7) the user is
taken to a map showing the location of the pixel whose value is being reported for that
location. At the top of this page the user has further links that will allow access to
zoomed in images of HotSpots, DHWs, SST, and ocean winds. There are also links to
a current time series plot of SST and another site that allows access to buoy locations
and data. Of importance for managers, the Indices Page has a warning symbol that
appears when any HotSpot value is greater than zero. This symbol increases in size and
flashes according to the severity of the current heat stress.
8. The Future of Coral Reef Watch Products
There are a number of improvements planned for CRW products in the near future.
These include the incorporation of as many relevant satellite-based environmental
measurements as possible, such as wind, turbidity, light, waves, etc. Non-satellite data
that supports the existing and proposed space-borne measurements would also be
incorporated. It is possible that these may include information about tides, currents,
bathymetry, etc.
Beyond the near future, CRW is working on ways of providing 1 to 4 week
forecasts of coral bleaching, and improved data sets for climate modeling. For the latter
we are using our now-casting knowledge and 20 years of satellite data to help
understand the outputs from current Global Climate Models (GCM) and their
relationship to thermal stress of corals (and hence bleaching). Ultimately this will assist
in the design of “coral friendly” GCMs.
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Extreme Events and Perturbations
not be confirmed as related to the SST anomaly,
The data from this cruise revealed that the bleaching was a NWHI event, and was
not simply restricted to Midway Atoll. The most severe bleaching was observed at Pearl
& Hermes, Midway, and Kure Atolls. Additional bleaching was also observed at
Lisianski and French Frigate Shoals.
7. Bleaching Warnings for Managers
In an attempt to assist managers and non-physical scientists with the use of the
CRW product suite, a summary page, called the “Indices Page”, has been developed
(http://www.osdpd.noaa.gov/PSB/EPS/CB_indices/coral_bleaching_indices.html). This
website allows the user to zoom in on 24 individual sites (Figure 7). The initial page
allows a quick look at the crucial numbers associated with the CRW products, including
the names and locations of sites. For each site the current DHW value, the maximum
(record) DHW value for that site since 1985, the current SST and the value of the
MMM climatology for that site are provided (Figure 7). Together these values provide
an index of potential bleaching.
By clicking on the location within each individual box (see Figure 7) the user is
taken to a map showing the location of the pixel whose value is being reported for that
location. At the top of this page the user has further links that will allow access to
zoomed in images of HotSpots, DHWs, SST, and ocean winds. There are also links to
a current time series plot of SST and another site that allows access to buoy locations
and data. Of importance for managers, the Indices Page has a warning symbol that
appears when any HotSpot value is greater than zero. This symbol increases in size and
flashes according to the severity of the current heat stress.
8. The Future of Coral Reef Watch Products
There are a number of improvements planned for CRW products in the near future.
These include the incorporation of as many relevant satellite-based environmental
measurements as possible, such as wind, turbidity, light, waves, etc. Non-satellite data
that supports the existing and proposed space-borne measurements would also be
incorporated. It is possible that these may include information about tides, currents,
bathymetry, etc.
Beyond the near future, CRW is working on ways of providing 1 to 4 week
forecasts of coral bleaching, and improved data sets for climate modeling. For the latter
we are using our now-casting knowledge and 20 years of satellite data to help
understand the outputs from current Global Climate Models (GCM) and their
relationship to thermal stress of corals (and hence bleaching). Ultimately this will assist
in the design of “coral friendly” GCMs.
21
Extreme Events and Perturbations