Prepared for the 2013 National Climate Assessment and a landmark study in terms of its breadth and depth of coverage, Oceans and Marine Resources in a Changing Climate is the result of a collaboration among numerous local, state, federal, and nongovernmental agencies to develop a comprehensive, state of the art look at the effects of climate change on the oceans and marine ecosystems under U.S. jurisdiction.
This book provides an assessment of scientific knowledge of the current and projected impacts of climate change and ocean acidification on the physical, chemical, and biological components and human uses of marine ecosystems under U.S. jurisdiction. It also provides assessment of the international implications for the U.S. due to climate impacts on ocean ecosystems and of efforts to prepare for and adapt to climate and acidification impacts on ocean ecosystem, including -+ Climate-Driven Physical and Chemical Changes in Marine Ecosystems -+ Impacts of Climate Change on Marine Organisms -+ Impacts of Climate Change on Human Uses of the Ocean -+ International Implications of Climate Change -+ Ocean Management Challenges, Adaptation Approaches, and Opportunities in a Changing Climate -+ Sustaining the Assessment of Climate Impacts on Oceans and Marine Resources
Rich in science and case studies, it examines the latest climate change impacts, scenarios, vulnerabilities, and adaptive capacity and offers decision makers and stakeholders a substantial basis from which to make informed choices that will affect the well-being of the region's inhabitants in the decades to come.
Chapter 1. Introduction -Scope and Purpose -Linkages with Other Parts of the National Climate Assessment
Chapter 2. Climate-Driven Physical and Chemical Changes in Marine Ecosystems -Executive Summary -Key Findings -Key Science Gaps/Knowledge Needs -Introduction -Ocean Temperature and Heat Trapping -Loss of Arctic Ice -Salinity -Stratification -Changes in Precipitation and Extreme Weather Events -Ocean Circulation -Climate Regimes -Carbon Dioxide Absorption by the Oceans -Ocean Acidification -Hypoxia
Chapter 3. Impacts of Climate Change on Marine Organisms -Executive Summary -Key Findings -Key Science Gaps/Knowledge Needs -Physiological Responses -Population and Community Responses -Ecosystem Structure and Function -Regime Shifts and Tipping Points
Chapter 4. Impacts of Climate Change on Human Uses of the Ocean and Ocean Services -Executive Summary -Key Findings -Introduction -Climate Effects on Capture Fisheries -Offshore Energy Development -Tourism and Recreation -Human Health -Maritime Security and Transportation -Governance Challenges -Research and Monitoring Gaps -Conclusion
Chapter 5. International Implications of Climate Change -Executive Summary -Key Findings -Implications of Climate Change in International Conventions and Treaties -Climate Change Considerations in Other International Organizations -Climate Change Considerations by Regional Fisheries Management Organizations and Living Marine Resource Conservation Organizations -Climate Change and Other International Issues -Martitime Transportation and Security -Blue Carbon
Chapter 6. Ocean Management Challenges, Adaptation Approaches, and Opportunities in a Changing Climate Executive Summary -Key Findings -Key Science Gaps/Knowledge Needs -Challenges and Opportunities for Adaptation in Marine Systems -Information, Tools, and Services to Support Ocean Adaptation -Opportunities for Integrating Climate Change into US Ocean Policy and Management -Emerging Frameworks and Actions for Ocean Adaptation
Chapter 7. Sustaining the Assessment of Climate Impacts on Oceans and Marine Resources -Key Findings -Challenges to Assessing Climate Impacts on Oceans and Marine Resources -Key Steps for Sustained Assessment of Climate Impacts on Oceans and Marine Resources
Appendix A: Status of and Climate Change Impacts to Commercial, Recreational, and Subsistence Fisheries in the US -A.1. Commercial and Recreational Fisheries -A.2. Commercial and Recreational Fishing-dependent Communities -A.3. Regional Involvement in Commercial and Recreational Fishing -A.4. Subsistence Fisheries References
