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Coral Reef, China. Image Wikipedia |

In a new peer reviewed paper published in Science China Earth Sciences as reported by CO2 Science,
the authors write that "rising atmospheric CO2 and global warming are regarded as fatal threats to coral reefs," noting that "the IPCC has reported that by the end of this century, coral reefs will be the first ecological system that will become extinct," citing Wilkinson (2004).How can scientists get it so wrong?
Reference
Shi, Q., Yu, K.F., Chen, T.R., Zhang, H.L., Zhao, M.X. and Yan, H.Q. 2012. Two centuries-long records of skeletal calcification in massive Porites colonies from Meiji Reef in the southern South China Sea and its responses to atmospheric CO2 and seawater temperature. Science China Earth Sciences 55: 10.1007/s11430-011-4320-0.
Background
The authors write that "rising atmospheric CO2 and global warming are regarded as fatal threats to coral reefs," noting that "the IPCC has reported that by the end of this century, coral reefs will be the first ecological system that will become extinct," citing Wilkinson (2004). However, they say "others contend that rising seawater temperature is conducive to enhanced coral calcification, and increased calcification will be higher than the decline caused by rising CO2," so that "coral calcification will increase by about 35% beyond pre-industrial levels by 2100, and no extinction of coral reefs will occur in the future," citing McNeil et al. (2004).
What it means
It certainly looks like the infamous IPCC has got it all wrong when it comes to predicting the effects of rising temperature and atmospheric CO2 concentration on coral calcification rates ... because you better believe that nature's got it right.
I hope the coral habitat doesn't fluctuate any sooner because of any brutal activities for marine life. I'm also an advocate of animal rights and I hope nothing bad ever happens to this matter.
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