[Coral-List] Chances of bleaching in the tropical eastern Pacific?

[Fernando A. Zapata]

Mark,

Would you care to comment regarding possible bleaching conditions in the
tropical eastern Pacific (TEP)? Latest SST anomalies show signs of an EL
Niño warming (and forecasts give 50% chance of an El Niño by end of year),
the coral bleaching hotspots maps indicates that SST anomalies in Panama
Bight are at least similar to those in the Caribbean and degree-heating
weeks are accumulating (> 14) there as well. Looks like we should keep our
eyes open for coral bleaching in the TEP?

Cheers,

Fernando

Fernando A. Zapata
Departamento de Biologia
Universidad del Valle
Apartado Aereo 25360
Cali, Colombia
 
Tel. (+57-2) 321-2100 Ext. 2824
Telefax. (+57-2) 339-3243
Fax. (+57-2) 339-2440
E-mail: fazapata at univalle.edu.co
 
Grupo de Investigacion en Ecologia de Arrecifes Coralinos
Coral Reef Ecology Research Group
http://postgradobiologia.univalle.edu.co/Grupos/Arrecifes/General/general.ht
ml

-----Mensaje original-----
De: coral-list-bounces at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
[mailto:coral-list-bounces at coral.aoml.noaa.gov] En nombre de Mark Eakin
Enviado el: martes, 05 de septiembre de 2006 9:39
Para: Coral Listserver
Asunto: [Coral-List] Caribbean Remains slightly warm

Temperatures in the Caribbean continue slightly above normal.   
Temperatures across the Caribbean and western North Atlantic remain  
approximately 0.5-1.0 degrees C above the maximum monthly mean.  All  
of our Atlantic index sites are at Bleaching Watch status except for  
Lee Stocking Island in the Bahamas.  Caribbean temperatures continue  
to be significantly lower than 2005 and just below the bleaching  
threshold.  Only a small area near the panhandle of Florida has  
accumulated Degree Heating Weeks.

We are cautiously optimistic that new bleaching will not be a major  
issue in the Caribbean during 2006.

Our 24 index sites around the globe can be found at:
http://www.osdpd.noaa.gov/PSB/EPS/CB_indices/ 
coral_bleaching_indices.html

Current HotSpot and Degree Heating Week charts, HDF data, and
GoogleEarth products can be found at:
http://coralreefwatch.noaa.gov/satellite/index.html

Please reporting any bleaching events (or non-events) at
http://www.reefbase.org/input/bleachingreport/index.asp


Cheers,
Mark

------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
------------------------
C. Mark Eakin, Ph.D.
Coordinator, NOAA Coral Reef Watch
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Center for Satellite Applications and Research
Satellite Oceanography & Climate Division
e-mail: mark.eakin at noaa.gov
url: coralreefwatch.noaa.gov

E/RA31, SSMC1, Room 5308
1335 East West Hwy
Silver Spring, MD 20910-3226
301-713-2857 x109                   Fax: 301-713-3136


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