Menu

Overview

  • This page shows a global visualization of mean daily temperature variability derived from the global LLC4320 MITgcm simulation. The visualizations are provided for the surface and depths of 10 m, 25 m, and 50 m. These are meant as a visual guide for scientists, ecologists, conservationists, and other interested parties to understand how numerical models can aid in the effort to protect coral reefs.
  • The LLC4320 simulation is run at nominal 1/48 degree resolution, which is fine enough to permit significant near-surface submesoscale turbulence and some of the internal gravity wave (IGW) spectrum. At special locations IGWs are the largest driver of temperature variability at short timescales. IGWs can be beneficial to reefs where they can entrain cooler water and nutrients from depth that can promote production for coral heterotrophy, and cause high temperature variability that is thought to improve coral resilience to temperature extremes.
  • IGWs are common but occur at O(1 km) and smaller spatial scales, so many ocean models do not resolve them. The most significant IGW impacts are often limited to the subsurface, so that sea surface temperature is not a sufficient variable for locating them. To help identify these potential thermal refugia, this study analyzes subsurface heat fluxes, at temporal scales consistent with IGWs, within the LLC4320 simulation.
  • The LLC4320 data is saved at hourly intervals. It is freely available on the ECCO Data Portal
  • These maps should be viewed as a guide for identifying areas with potential thermal refugia for coral reefs. The potential for these refugia depends on the persistence of the IGW influence during warming events, as well as the benefits of IGW temperature variability and nutrient inputs in conditioning corals to withstand warming events.
  • Please see our publication for more information on the methods, analysis, and interpretation of the results: Bachman, SD, JA Kleypas, M Erdman, and E Setyawan. A global atlas of potential thermal refugia for coral reefs generated by internal gravity waves