Dear colleagues:

We would like to call your attention to, and invite submissions of
abstracts for inclusion in the mini-symposium "Effects of Ocean
Acidification on organisms and ecosystems" (Mini-symposium 8d under the
Ocean Acidification theme) at the 2012 International Coral Reef Symposium
(9-13 July 2012, Cairns, Australia)

Please see below for a complete session description.

The abstract deadline is 1 October 2011.

Effects of Ocean Acidification on Organisms and Ecosystems

Ocean acidification can impact organisms and ecosystems in many ways.  At
the organismal level it can affect the fitness of the organism by impeding
the ability to build a skeleton or shell.  The increased metabolic cost of
maintaining an optimal internal pH for calcification and other metabolic
processes may have other consequences such as higher respiration rates and
nutritional requirements, decreased scope for growth, decreased resources
for reproduction, and decreased resources to cope with other environmental
stressors.  We also know that OA conditions can impact animal behaviors
through effects on their sensory systems.  At the ecosystem level we can
expect to find changes in community structure as some species find
themselves at a competitive advantage or disadvantage.  Predator-prey
interactions may change as defensive mechanisms and behaviors are
strengthened or weakened. Impacts at the ecosystem level may first be
detectable as changes in carbon allocation, the ratio of primary
production to calcification and the balance between calcification and
dissolution.  We also welcome studies that look at the buffer capacity of
the differing coral reef sediments to a lower pH environment.  Please
consider submitting an abstract to this session if your work addresses any
of these issues.

Please submit your abstracts through the 12th ICRS web site
(http://www.icrs2012.com) before October 1st.

Chris Langdon
Katharina Fabricius
Bradley Opdyke

Chris Langdon
Professor MBF
Uni. of Miami, RSMAS
4600 Rickenbacker Cswy
Miami,FL 33149
Ph: 305-421-4614
Fax: 305-421-4239