Aerial view of Moorea, French Polynesia

The 1998 ENSO event was the most severe ever recorded eliciting unprecedented coral bleaching world-wide. In some parts of French Polynesia, such as Rangiroa Atoll, coral mortality was severe with >99% loss of Pocillopora and 25% loss of Porites. However, bleaching did not occur in the Society Islands (Tahiti and Moorea).

This project evaluates meteorological conditions which may have caused coral bleaching at island scales. Specifically, the relative roles of sea surface temperature, cloud cover, wind speed, and sun hours are being evaluated. The project also attempts to predict the recovery of coral populations at Rangiroa atoll (Tuamotu Archipelago).

To examine the predictability of coral bleaching events at island scales based on coarse meteorological measurements. The project also casts doubt on the use of thermal thresholds for predicting bleaching events.

Mumby PJ, Chisholm JRM, Edwards AJ, Clark CD, Roark EB, Andréfouët S, Jaubert J (2001). Unprecedented bleaching-induced mortality in Porites spp. at Rangiroa Atoll, French Polynesia. Marine Biology, 139: 183-189.

Mumby, P.J., Chisholm, J.R.M, Edwards, A.J., Andréfouët, S., Jaubert, J. (2001) Cloudy weather may have saved Society Islands coral reefs during the 1998 ENSO event. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 222: 209-216.

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Reefs Damaged by Global Warming for 100 Years

Coral Bleaching in French Polynesia

Coral reefs out for a century