Page 32 - climate-change2013

Proposed categories of indicators

and monitoring procedures

1. Physical viding unique information on the thermal environment
(average and extreme temperatures and variability) to
and biochemical which organisms are exposed. Within each MPA au-
tonomous temperature data loggers can be deployed
condition in seawater at 5 m intervals from the surface down to
depths of 40–50 m, if geography allows, in sites ex-
posed to dominant winds and currents (Bensoussan et
al., 2011). The sensors can be fixed to rocky substrates
INDICATOR or along buoy lines or chains, while in seagrass mead-
ows loggers can be installed within the canopy. On
Seawater temperature anomalies beach environments, sand temperature can be meas-
ured with similar devices buried at different sites (i.e.
nesting beaches).
The analysis of the effects of climate change on biodi-
versity requires robust temperature datasets for coastal Temperature data loggers should be set up to collect
areas. First, such temperature time series will make it hourly measurements and should be recovered by
possible to characterize thermal regimes within MPAs divers annually or semi-annually, usually before and
(maximum temperature, mean summer temperature, after the summer period. For data management and
stratification dynamics, etc.) as a basis for assessing analysis the T-MedNet initiative has developed a web
2
their current vulnerability to warming. Secondly, they application for uploading and verifying the data and se-
will be vital for detecting temperature anomalies and for curely backing up all these records. The harmonized
tracking warming trends in Mediterranean coastal ar- database also allows for the development of semi-
eas. The analysis of temperature conditions associated automatic routines that are very efficient at producing
with reported biological impacts (e.g. jellyfish blooms or summary reports on temperature conditions, including
the arrival of new species) will determine to what extent figures and temperature descriptors (mean, coefficient
warming is responsible for the observed impacts. of variation, etc.).

Large-scale sea-surface temperature data obtained Alternatively, another type of temperature sensor cur-
from satellite images show a clear warming trend in the rently used by research institutions and other organi-
Mediterranean (Skliris et al., 2011). However, there is zations is oceanographic buoys. These usually take
still limited information on the warming and changes in measurements of oceanographic, meteorological and
stratification dynamics occurring in coastal areas. The water quality variables. Specific information from these
available time-resolved temperature series for the water sensors includes sea-surface temperatures and tem-
column (0–80 m depth) have shown a warming trend in perature profiles. Although they are more expensive and
coastal waters at different depths, but unfortunately the require the involvement of research institutions, these
data cover only a few sites in the north-western Medi- sensors could be an alternative or additional source
terranean and northern Adriatic (although there may be of information if they are placed in close proximity to
other series that are unpublished). The proposed tem- MPAs.
perature monitoring programme will help to fill the enor-
mous knowledge gap in temperature regimes in coastal
areas. INDICATOR

High-resolution temperature series can also be used Anomalies of salinity, pH and other
to validate sub-regional modelling efforts. Validated
circulation models can be a powerful and reliable tool biochemical environmental conditions
for forecasting and evaluating the expected impact of
climate change at spatial scales relevant to MPA man- Several chemical and physical parameters of the sea-
agement. These activities are essential for drawing up water column, such as salinity, dissolved oxygen con-
appropriate conservation and management plans for centration, pH, organic and inorganic nutrients, chlo-
the rich Mediterranean biodiversity and for building the rophyll a/primary production, and turbidity, are recom-
capacity to anticipate the impact of climate change in mended for measurement in MPAs, as they will provide
Mediterranean MPAs. a direct or indirect indication of the stability of marine
communities. Surface salinity and pH are particularly
PROPOSED MONITORING PROCEDURE important because they are most likely to change with
Long-term temperature data series are very scarce for climate variability and to have observable effects on
Mediterranean coastal areas, particularly data acquired marine communities (see page 14).
at high temporal resolution. Recent technological ad-
vances now mean that high-resolution temperature se-
ries may be acquired at reasonable cost, thereby pro- 2. http://www.t-mednet.org/presentation

30 COLLECTION