How will climate change affect the New Zealand marine environment?
This NIWA report for the Department of Conservation:
- summarises the state of scientific knowledge as at October 2007
- highlights some immediate actions which could be taken in response
- identifies further research required
The possible climate change effects investigated in the report are:
Direct climate change effects
- Sea-level rise
- Changing wind & rainfall patterns
- Ocean acidification
- Changing ocean current patterns
- Ocean warming
Indirect climate change effects
- Changing primary production
- Algal blooms
- Vulnerability to invasive species
- Vulnerability to diseases and parasites
Climate Change & Marine Environment Report (PDF 2.5 MB)