Vulnerability of chondrichthyan fishes of the Great Barrier Reef to climate change
Online Access
http://researchonline.jcu.edu.au/12118/1/chapter13-chondrichthyan-fishes.pdfhttp://researchonline.jcu.edu.au/12118/2/1837%2C_5189%2C_8060%2C_8488%2C_8566%2C_12118_Climate_Change_GBR_2007_cover.jpg
Abstract
[Extract] This chapter addresses the potential impact of climate change on the chondrichthyan fauna of the Great Barrier Reef, that is, the sharks, rays, skates and holocephalans that occur within the Great Barrier Reef region. The terms ‘sharks and rays’ or ‘sharks’ are used throughout this chapter to describe this diverse group of fishes. Relatively little is known about the sharks and rays of the Great Barrier Reef (GBR), and research has been sporadic and patchy. We have collected information from a variety of sources including unpublished data to assemble a baseline of understanding on what climate change may mean for the sharks of the GBR. This assessment provides predictions about how climate change may affect these animals. These predictions rely on information contained in other chapters about climate change and its impacts on the habitats and biological processes of the GBR ecosystem. We have used a semi-quantitative method to assess the vulnerability of sharks and rays to climate change, and our approach is modelled on methods used to assess the ecological risk of many animals, including sharks and rays, in fisheries. The intent is to use a clear and logical process to assess the vulnerability of the various species and groups of sharks and rays to predicted climate change scenarios over the next 100 years. Whereas this assessment is restricted to the sharks and rays of the Great Barrier Reef, it is hoped that this process will be of use in assessing the potential impacts of climate change on species in other regions.Date
2007Type
Book ChapterIdentifier
oai:researchonline.jcu.edu.au:12118http://researchonline.jcu.edu.au/12118/1/chapter13-chondrichthyan-fishes.pdf
http://researchonline.jcu.edu.au/12118/2/1837%2C_5189%2C_8060%2C_8488%2C_8566%2C_12118_Climate_Change_GBR_2007_cover.jpg
Chin, Andrew, and Kyne, Peter M. (2007) Vulnerability of chondrichthyan fishes of the Great Barrier Reef to climate change. In: Johnson, Johanna E., and Marshall, Paul. A, (eds.) Climate Change and the Great Barrier Reef: a vulnerability assessment. Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and Australian Greenhouse Office, Townsville, QLD, Australia, pp. 393-425.