LIYANA AMIR AND CHE ABD RAHIM MOHAMED
Abstract
In this paper the adaptive abilities of coral reefs in the changing marine environment were reviewed. The parameters assessed were sedimentation, nutrient loading, trace element fluctuations, thermal stress, carbon dioxide increase, ocean acidification and the economic damage of climate change. It was found that many studies have analysed different elements, stressors and proxies, but not many studies have looked at a combination of the stressors. It is imperative that future studies look at a combination of stressors and proxies coupled with factors such as skeletal extension, zooxanthellae density and coral abundance to determine whether specific combinations of factors negatively affect coral reefs more than others. Once these questions can be confidently answered, only then can we establish proper policies and management procedures that will reduce the amount of stress placed upon the coral reefs.