Climate change problems: Stormy weather

Most scientists believe that global warming will herald a new era of extreme and unpredictable weather.

Tropical storms may increase and so too would the consequent physical damage to coral reefs, other coastal ecosystems, and coastal communities. Hurricanes Hugo and Marilyn hit the US Virgin Islands National Park in 1989 and 1995, respectively, and did massive damage to coral ecosystems.

Another effect of climate change will be heavier and more abundant rainfall in some areas. Heavy rainstorms cause serious soil erosion in coastal areas and on islands. Sediment - together with freshwater and agricultural chemicals - floods off the land, down rivers, and out into the sea, where it smothers fringing coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass meadows, and other delicate coastal and off-shore habitats.

One such flood plume from Australia's Fitzroy River caused mass coral deaths on the Keppel Island reefs. Indeed, increased damage in this way may be one of the most rapid and alarming effects that climate change will have on many coastal areas.

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