4:15 PM - 4:30 PM
[AOS13-10] Impacts of Thermal Variability and Nutrient Dynamics on Soft Coral Cover in the Taiwan Strait: A Seesaw of Ecological Balance
Keywords:soft coral, Taiwan Strait, upwelling
Soft coral cover in the Taiwan Strait is strongly influenced by oceanographic dynamics, including variations in sea surface temperature (SST), uplifted cold water, and nutrient distribution, all of which affect the resilience and health of coral reef ecosystems. The Taiwan Strait, located at the confluence of the South China Sea (SCS) and the West Philippine Sea (WPS), experiences complex oceanographic processes that further shape coral reef ecosystems. This study examines the spatial and temporal variations in sea surface temperature (SST), uplifted cold water, and nutrient distribution in the southeastern Taiwan Strait, focusing on their impacts on soft coral cover.
Using multi-source observational data, including buoy measurements, shipboard CTD profiles, satellite-derived SST, and hydrodynamic model outputs, we investigated temperature fluctuations and nutrient availability across the Penghu Channel (PC). Our results indicate a significant correlation between soft coral cover, minimum diurnal SST, and nutrient levels, highlighting the importance of thermal stability and nutrient availability in coral resilience. Diurnal SST variations exhibit opposing trends on either side of the channel, with increasing variability on the western side of the PC and decreasing fluctuations on the eastern side of the PC, correlating with changes in mixed layer depth (MLD) and water mass composition. Our findings suggest that regional hydrology plays a dominant role in modulating thermal stress and ecosystem structure. These insights contribute to a broader understanding of climate change impacts on coral reefs and underscore the need for targeted conservation strategies in response to shifting oceanographic conditions in the Taiwan Strait.
Using multi-source observational data, including buoy measurements, shipboard CTD profiles, satellite-derived SST, and hydrodynamic model outputs, we investigated temperature fluctuations and nutrient availability across the Penghu Channel (PC). Our results indicate a significant correlation between soft coral cover, minimum diurnal SST, and nutrient levels, highlighting the importance of thermal stability and nutrient availability in coral resilience. Diurnal SST variations exhibit opposing trends on either side of the channel, with increasing variability on the western side of the PC and decreasing fluctuations on the eastern side of the PC, correlating with changes in mixed layer depth (MLD) and water mass composition. Our findings suggest that regional hydrology plays a dominant role in modulating thermal stress and ecosystem structure. These insights contribute to a broader understanding of climate change impacts on coral reefs and underscore the need for targeted conservation strategies in response to shifting oceanographic conditions in the Taiwan Strait.