New web tool helps marine life adapt to rising ocean temperatures
As ocean temperatures continue to rise, innovative solutions are needed to help marine life adapt.
One such solution is Reef Adapt, a new web-based tool developed by scientists from DPIRD Fisheries, the University of Western Australia and Flinders University.
Reef Adapt is designed to support marine plants and animals in coping with the impacts of climate change.
DPIRD Senior Scientist Professor Melinda Coleman, who has been involved in developing the tool, describes Reef Adapt as a user-friendly, map-based web tool that assists restoration practitioners, marine managers and community groups in sourcing material for marine restoration.
"The webtool helps users make informed decisions by identifying local stocks as well as climate-resilient populations that can withstand future ocean conditions," she said.
Importantly, using this information, Reef Adapt enables marine restoration efforts to be ‘climate-proofed’ against ongoing ocean change.
“The tool not only identifies materials suited to today’s conditions but also helps users find biological material that will thrive in future environmental scenarios.” Professor Coleman explained.
“It will help maximise restoration success by giving restored populations the best chance to cope and adapt to future change.”
Reef Adapt is the first of its kind and can be applied globally to any marine species, including seaweeds and corals, as long as genetic data is uploaded into the system.
It is currently, being used by the seaweed aquaculture and restoration communities in New South Wales, demonstrating its practical value in real-world applications.
By adopting Reef Adapt, restoration outcomes can be improved to safeguard marine habitats and species against the challenges posed by climate change.
Find out more at the Reef Adapt website.
This work forms part of the NSW DPIRD Climate change monitoring project.
The research addresses key knowledge gaps outlined in the NSW Marine Estate Threat and Risk Assessment.
It was funded by the NSW Government under the Marine Estate Management Strategy.
Read the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development media release here.
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