Emma Joyner- Coral Reef Fishes on Decline

 As our planet heats up, more and more species of animals and plants are threatened with each temperature increase. These organisms that have spent thousands of years specializing in particular niche spaces and performing particular roles in their environments are being forced out of their home ranges and expanding into uncharted territory. These moves are ultimately disturbing the individuals who are moving as well as the individuals occupying the space they are moving to. In particular, coral reef fishes are being targeted at an unprecedented rate in comparison to most other species. Coral reefs in particular are especially vulnerable to climate change. The hard corals themselves are made up of small microorganisms that are lined with embedded protists which give the corals their distinctive and beautiful appearance. These reefs provide complex habitats for the most diverse fish in the ocean. However, the rising ocean temperatures are affecting coral reef fish’s boldness, plasticity, and mortality. In terms of boldness, we see a significant change in risk assessment through the lack of survival tactics and the increase in energy expenditure. Conversely, we also see fishes opting for less favorable conditions to avoid increasing temperatures, showing a clear preference for cooler temperatures as opposed to warmer ones. All of these factors essentially lead to the increase in mortality of coral reef fishes that we are seeing as a result of increasing temperatures, courtesy of climate change. Research comparing the effects of climate change across different locations could be potentially useful in assessing the impact of rising temperatures on particular habitats, as well as assessing other factors impacted by climate change such as acidification. This all begs the question: What can we do to mitigate the effects of climate change? And who’s responsible for implementing these strategies?

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