Climate change and the New Zealand marine environment

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)