The greenhouse effect and coral reefs

Current predictions concerning the greenhouse effect contain many uncertainties. However, some significant sea-level rise reaching at least 6-8 mm/yr by 2050 seems likely. Coral reefs can achieve vertical growth of perhaps 15 mm/yr for short periods and a sustainable modal maximum of about 8 mm/yr. Thus they could keep pace with any likely short-term greenhouse scenario. Whether they will, in fact, respond with recolonization of presently depauperate reef flats and renewed vertical growth is subject to controversy. In the past, reefs have both succeeded and failed to do so without clear explanation.