Sea level rise is threatening to flood or erode islands in the Papah?naumoku?kea Marine National Monument located north of the Hawaiian Islands.
A new report from the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries says ocean acidification, warming water, and other climate-related changes are expected to significantly affect the area.
Projected sea-level rise combined with wave activity over the next 50 to 100 years could flood low-lying islands, which are home to endangered birds such as the Laysan duck and Laysan finch, as well as large populations of seabirds. Coastal erosion could deprive turtles and monk seals of their habitats, and warmer waters will weaken, bleach and eventually kill coral reefs. Randy Kosaki is the Deputy superintended for research in the Marine National Monument.
The report can be found at the NOAA Sanctuaries website.
