Papua New Guinea has some of the most pristine and diverse coral reefs on Earth. By investigating volcanic vents, where concentrations of carbon dioxide are naturally high, Fabricius et al. (Nature Clim. Change 1, 165–169; 2011) showed that these reefs are profoundly degraded by the levels of ocean acidification predicted for the end of this century. Worryingly, however, their study may underestimate the impacts of future ocean acidification.
Hall-Spencer J., 2011. No reason for complacency. Nature Climate Change 1(4): 174. Article (subscription required).
