Keppel corals' climate change coping causes international buzz
Published on 23 July, 2008
Research indicating the Keppel reefs off Rockhampton may be adapting to cope with climate change has given the international science community hope that most corals may be able to adapt to some extent to warmer conditions...
That's according to CQUniversity PhD student Alison Jones, whose research in collaboration with Dr Ray Berkelmans from AIMS (Australian Institute of Marine Science), sparked the conference buzz. This was during the 11th International Coral Reef Symposium in Florida (July 7-11). Details at: http://www.nova.edu/ncri/11icrs/
Alison Jones in her element - Photo by Glen Patton from Friends of the Sanctury in Florida Key Largo
"Our paper featured in no less than 2 plenary talks and many other mini-symposium talks," Alison said.
"This is the first study of its kind in the world and has given the scientific community hope that some corals may be able to adapt to some extent to warmer conditions.
"The entire conference was flavoured by the question: can reefs adapt to the conditions that are predicted to occur with climate change?"
"We also had the opportunity to go out diving in Key Largo with the Friends of the Sanctuary. Their reefs have been completely decimated by bleaching and staghorn corals are now an endangered species. They are so concerned that a lot of resources are going into farming and re-planting corals."
Meanwhile, Ms Jones is also involved with a new Envirofund-supported Head Under Water community monitoring project in the Keppels, in conjunction with the Fitzroy Basin Association.
She said the funding would enable mapping and monitoring of reef biodiversity in the region.
An example of transplanted coral
"The emphasis will be on reefs considered important to the local economy and on those that are resilient to flood and bleaching," Ms Jones said.
"By engaging local divers, snorkelers and boaties, the program will encourage stewardship of reef management.
"Data will become available to all stakeholders and managers through the Fitzroy Basin Association in the future."
Out on the water off Florida 
Alison (centre) with her Florida dive group - Photo by Glen Patton from Friends of the Sanctury in Florida Key Largo