Limited scope for latitudinal extension of reef corals

Abstract

Not as deep As our climate warms, many species ranges are predicted to shift toward the warmer poles. Focusing solely on temperatures, however, ignores many factors that change across latitudes, such as the intensity of solar radiation. Muir et al. looked at global distributions of two groups of reef-building corals (see the Perspective by Kleypas). Most reef-building corals occur deep enough to be protected from surge. However, corals require sunlight to sustain their symbiotic photosynthetic algae. Because solar radiation is more limited farther away from the equator, future populations might be limited to more turbulent shallow waters. Science , this issue p. 1135 ; see also p. 1086