Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Perspective
  • Published:

Vulnerability and adaptation of US shellfisheries to ocean acidification

Nature Climate Change volume 5, pages 207–214 (2015)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Ocean acidification is a global, long-term problem whose ultimate solution requires carbon dioxide reduction at a scope and scale that will take decades to accomplish successfully. Until that is achieved, feasible and locally relevant adaptation and mitigation measures are needed. To help to prioritize societal responses to ocean acidification, we present a spatially explicit, multidisciplinary vulnerability analysis of coastal human communities in the United States. We focus our analysis on shelled mollusc harvests, which are likely to be harmed by ocean acidification. Our results highlight US regions most vulnerable to ocean acidification (and why), important knowledge and information gaps, and opportunities to adapt through local actions. The research illustrates the benefits of integrating natural and social sciences to identify actions and other opportunities while policy, stakeholders and scientists are still in relatively early stages of developing research plans and responses to ocean acidification.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

  • Purchase on Springer Link
  • Instant access to full article PDF
Buy now

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Figure 1: Conceptual framework structuring the analysis of vulnerability to ocean acidification.
Figure 2: Overall vulnerability of places to ocean acidification.
Figure 3: Sample of gaps in knowledge related to OA vulnerability, organized around components of the framework.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. IPCC. Climate Change 2014: Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability Part B: Regional Aspects. (eds Field, C. B. et al.) (Cambridge Univ. Press, 2014).

  2. Waldbusser, G. G., Voigt, E. P., Bergschneider, H., Green, M. A. & Newell, R. I. E. Long-term trends in Chesapeake Bay pH and effects on biocalcification in the Eastern Oyster Crassostrea virginica. Estuar. Coasts 34, 221–231 (2011).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Cai, W-J. et al. Acidification of subsurface coastal waters enhanced by eutrophication. Nature Geosci. 4, 766–770 (2011).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Feely, R. A., Sabine, C. L., Hernandez-Ayon, J. M., Ianson, D. & Hales, B. Evidence for upwelling of corrosive 'acidified' water onto the continental shelf. Science 320, 1490–1492 (2008).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Salisbury, J., Green, M., Hunt, C. W. & Campbell, J. Coastal acidification by rivers: a threat to shellfish? EOS Trans. Am. Geophys. Union 89, 513–528 (2008).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. IPCC. Report of the IPCC Workshop on Impacts of Ocean Acidification on Marine Biology and Ecosystems, 164 (Carnegie Inst., 2011).

  7. Duarte, C. M. et al. Is ocean acidification an open-ocean syndrome? Understanding anthropogenic impacts on seawater pH. Estuar. Coasts 36, 221–236 (2013).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Kelly, R. P. et al. Mitigating local causes of ocean acidification with existing laws. Science 332, 1036–1037 (2011).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Waldbusser, G. G. & Salisbury, J. E. Ocean acidification in the coastal zone from an organism's perspective: multiple system parameters, frequency domains, and habitats. Annu. Rev. Mar. Sci. 6, 221–247 (2014).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Gazeau, F. et al. Impacts of ocean acidification on marine shelled molluscs. Mar. Biol. 160, 2207–2245 (2013).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Parker, L. M. et al. Predicting the response of molluscs to the impact of ocean acidification. Biology 2, 651–692 (2013).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Kroeker, K. J. et al. Impacts of ocean acidification on marine organisms: quantifying sensitivities and interaction with warming. Glob. Change Biol. 19, 1884–1896 (2013).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Ocean Acidification: From Knowledge to Action. Washington State's Strategic Response. (Washington State Blue Ribbon Panel on Ocean Acidification, 2012); https://fortress.wa.gov/ecy/publications/publications/1201015.pdf

  14. Cooley, S. R., Lucey, N., Kite-Powell, H. & Doney, S. C. Nutrition and income from molluscs today imply vulnerability to ocean acidification tomorrow. Fish Fisher. 13, 182–215 (2012).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Mathis, J. T. et al. Ocean acidification risk assessment for Alaska's fishery sector. Prog. Oceanogr. (in the press).

  16. Hilmi, N. et al. Exposure of Mediterranean countries to ocean acidification. Water 6, 1719–1744 (2014).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. National Estuary Research Reserve System; http://www.nerrs.noaa.gov/

  18. Waldbusser, G. G. et al. A developmental and energetic basis linking larval oyster shell formation to ocean acidification. Geophys. Res. Lett. 40, 2171–2176 (2013).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Waldbusser, G. G. et al. Saturation-state sensitivity of marine bivalve larvae to ocean acidification. Nature Clim. Change http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nclimate2479 (2014).

  20. Barton, A., Hales, B., Waldbusser, G. G., Langdon, C. & Feely, R. A. The Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas, shows negative correlation to naturally elevated carbon dioxide levels: Implications for near-term ocean acidification effects. Limnol. Oceanogr. 57, 698–710 (2012).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Jepson, M. & Colburn, L. L. Development of Social Indicators of Fishing Community Vulnerability and Resilience in the US Southeast and Northeast Regions. NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-F/SPO-129 (US Dept Commerce, 2013).

    Google Scholar 

  22. Feely, R. A. et al. The combined effects of ocean acidification, mixing, and respiration on pH and carbonate saturation in an urbanized estuary. Estuar. Coast. Shelf Sci. 88, 442–449 (2010).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Gruber, N. et al. Rapid progression of ocean acidification in the California Current system. Science 337, 220–223 (2012).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Hauri, C. et al. Spatiotemporal variability and long-term trends of ocean acidification in the California Current system. Biogeosci. 10, 193–216 (2013).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Ocean Acidification Resolution: Establishing the Commission to Study the Effects of Ocean Acidification and its Potential Effects on Commercial Shellfish Harvested and Grown Along the Maine Coast (126th Maine Legislature, 2014); http://go.nature.com/tDN5Xh

  26. Veneziano, S. in Boothbay Register (Maine, 2014).

    Google Scholar 

  27. van Hooidonk, R. J., Maynard, J. A., Manzello, D. & Planes, S. Opposite latitudinal gradients in projected ocean acidification and bleaching impacts on coral reefs. Glob. Change Biol. 103–112, (2014).

  28. Bricker, S. et al. Effects of nutrient enrichment in the nation's estuaries: A decade of change. Harmful Algae 8, 21–32 (2008).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Zins, C. Conceptual approaches for defining data, information, and knowledge. J. Am. Soc. Inform. Sci. 58, 479–493 (2007).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Boisot, M. & Canals, A. Data, information and knowledge: Have we got it right? J. Evol. Econ. 14, 43–67 (2004).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Harris, K. E., DeGrandpre, M. D. & Hales, B. Aragonite saturation state dynamics in a coastal upwelling zone. Geophys. Res. Lett. 40, 1–6 (2013).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Doney, S. C. The growing human footprint on coastal and open-ocean syndrome? Understanding anthropogenic impacts on seawater pH. Science 328, 1512–1516 (2010).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Newton, J. A., Feely, R. A., Jewett, E. B., Williamson, P. & Mathis, J. T. Global Ocean Acidification Observing Network: Requirements and Governance Plan (Global Ocean Acidification Observing Network (GOA-ON), 2014).

    Google Scholar 

  34. Office of Science and Technology. NMFS Commercial Fisheries Statistics (2003–2012) (NOAA, 2014); http://go.nature.com/4HvsQG

  35. Pespeni, M. H. et al. Evolutionary change during experimental ocean acidification. Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA 110, 6937–6942 (2013).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Sunday, J. M. et al. Evolution in an acidifying ocean. Trends Ecol. Evol. 29, 117–125 (2014).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Hofmann, G. E. et al. Exploring local adaptation and the ocean acidification seascape: studies in the California Current large marine ecosystem. Biogeosci. Discuss. 10, 11825–11856 (2013).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. Adger, W. N. Social capital, collective action and adaptation to climate change. Econ. Geogr. 79, 387–404 (2003).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Wolf, J. Climate Change Adaptation as a Social Process Vol. 42 (Springer, 2011).

    Book  Google Scholar 

  40. Moser, S. C. & Ekstrom, J. A. A framework to diagnose barriers to climate change adaptation. Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA 107, 22026–22031 (2010).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Moser, S. C. & Ekstrom, J. A. Identifying and Overcoming Barriers to Climate Change Adaptation in San Francisco Bay: Results from Case Studies. CEC-500-2012-034 (California Energy Commission, 2012).

    Google Scholar 

  42. Kahan, D. M. Fixing the communications failure. Nature 463, 296–297 (2010).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. Maibach, E., Roser-Renouf, C. & Leiserowitz, A. Global Warming's Six Americas 2009: An Audience Segmentation Analysis (Yale Project on Climate Change, George Mason Univ. Center for Climate Change Communication, 2009).

    Google Scholar 

  44. Peters, R. G., Covello, V. T. & McCallum, D. B. The determinants of trust and credibility in environmental risk communication: an empirical study. Risk Anal. 17, 43–54 (1997).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. Adger, W. N. et al. Are there social limits to adaptation to climate change? Clim. Change 93, 335–354 (2009).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  46. Adger, W. N., Barnett, J., Brown, K., Marshall, N. & O'Brien, K. Cultural dimensions of climate change impacts and adaptation. Nature Clim. Change 3, 112–117 (2013).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  47. Kelly, P. M. & Adger, W. N. Theory and practice in assessing vulnerability to climate change and facilitating adaptation. Clim. Change 47, 325–352 (2000).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  48. Moser, S. C., Kasperson, R. E., Yohe, G. & Agyeman, J. Adaptation to climate change in the Northeast United States: opportunities, processes, constraints. Mitig. Adapt. Strateg. Glob. Change 13, 643–659 (2008).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  49. Vogel, C., Moser, S. C., Kasperson, R. E. & Dabelko, G. D. Linking vulnerability, adaptation, and resilience science to practice: Pathways, players, and partnerships. Glob. Environ. Change 17, 349–364 (2007).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  50. Dilling, L. & Lemos, M. C. Creating usable science: opportunities and constraints for climate knowledge and their implications for science policy. Glob. Environ. Change 21, 680–689 (2010).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  51. Strategic Plan for Federal Research and Monitoring of Ocean Acidification (Interagency Working Group on Ocean Acidification, 2014); http://go.nature.com/3fr7Bq

  52. Cutter, S. L., Boruff, B. J. & Shirley, W. L. Social vulnerability to environmental hazards. Social Sci. Q. 84, 242–261 (2003).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  53. Marshall, N. et al. A framework for social adaptation to climate change: sustaining tropical coastal communities and industries, 36 (IUCN, 2010).

  54. Cardona, O. et al. in IPCC Special Report of Working Groups I and II: Managing the Risks of Extreme Events and Disasters to Advance Climate Change Adaptation (eds Field, C. et al.) 65–108 (Cambridge Univ. Press, 2012).

    Google Scholar 

  55. Turner, B. L. I. et al. A framework for vulnerability analysis in sustainability science. Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA 100, 8074–8079 (2003).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  56. Bricker, S. et al. Effects of Nutrient Enrichment in the Nation's Estuaries: A Decade of Change, 328 (National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, 2007).

    Google Scholar 

  57. USGS National Water Information System (NWIS) Database (US Geological Survey, accessed April 2014); http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis

  58. Hoekstra, J. M. et al. Upwelling Presence by Marine Province (Univ. California Press, 2010).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the National Socio-Environmental Synthesis Center (SESYNC) under funding received from the National Science Foundation DBI-1052875. Support for R.v.H. to generate model projections was provided by NOAA's Coral Reef Conservation Program. We thank the institutions and individuals that provided data (see Supplementary Information for full details), and W. McClintock and his laboratory for use of SeaSketch.org to enable collaborative discussions of spatial data and analysis. We are grateful for the contributions and advice provided by E. Jewett throughout the project.

Author information

Author notes

  1. Julia A. Ekstrom

    Present address: Present address: Policy Institute for Energy, Environment, and the Economy, University of California at Davis, 1605 Tilia Street 100, Davis 95616, California, USA,

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Natural Resources Defense Council, 111 Sutter Street, San Francisco, 94104, California, USA

    Julia A. Ekstrom

  2. Natural Resources Defense Council, 40 West 20th Street, New York, 10011, New York, USA

    Lisa Suatoni

  3. Ocean Conservancy, 1300 19th Street NW, 20036, Washington DC, USA

    Sarah R. Cooley

  4. Nicholas Institute, Duke University, Durham, 27708, North Carolina, USA

    Linwood H. Pendleton

  5. Université de Brest, UMR M101, AMURE, OSU-IUEM, Brest, France

    Linwood H. Pendleton

  6. College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331, USA,

    George G. Waldbusser

  7. ARC Centre of Excellence Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia

    Josh E. Cinner

  8. Duke University, Duke Marine Laboratory, Beaufort, 28516, North Carolina, USA

    Jessica Ritter, Dan Rittschof & Carolyn Doherty

  9. Department of Marine Biology and Ecology, Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, 33149, Florida, USA

    Chris Langdon

  10. NOAA Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory, Miami, 33149, Florida, USA

    Ruben van Hooidonk

  11. NOAA Ocean Acidification Program, Silver Spring, 20910, Maryland, USA

    Dwight Gledhill

  12. Northern Economics, Seattle, 98107, Washington, USA

    Katharine Wellman

  13. The Nature Conservancy, Santa Cruz, 95060, California, USA

    Michael W. Beck

  14. Institute for Environmental Studies, VU University, Amsterdam, 1081, HV, The Netherlands

    Luke M. Brander

  15. Coral Reef Conservation Program, NOAA/National Ocean Service, Office for Coastal Management, Silver Spring, 20910, Maryland, USA

    Peter E. T. Edwards

  16. I.M. Systems Group Inc., Rockville, 20852, Maryland, USA

    Peter E. T. Edwards

  17. Conservation International, Arlington, 22202, Virginia, USA

    Rosimeiry Portela

Authors
  1. Julia A. Ekstrom
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Lisa Suatoni
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Sarah R. Cooley
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Linwood H. Pendleton
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. George G. Waldbusser
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Josh E. Cinner
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Jessica Ritter
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Chris Langdon
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. Ruben van Hooidonk
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  10. Dwight Gledhill
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  11. Katharine Wellman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  12. Michael W. Beck
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  13. Luke M. Brander
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  14. Dan Rittschof
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  15. Carolyn Doherty
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  16. Peter E. T. Edwards
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  17. Rosimeiry Portela
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

All authors provided input into data analysis and research design, and participated in at least one SESYNC workshop; J.A.E. led the drafting of the text with main contributions from L.S., S.R.C., L.H.P., G.G.W. and J.E.C.; R.v.H. contributed projections of ocean acidification; L.H.P. contributed shelled mollusc diversity scores; J.A.E., L.S., S.R.C., J.R., L.H.P. and C.D. collected the data; J.A.E. carried out data analysis and mapping.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Julia A. Ekstrom.

Ethics declarations

Competing interests

The authors declare no competing financial interests.

Supplementary information

Supplementary Information

Supplementary Information (PDF 2106 kb)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Ekstrom, J., Suatoni, L., Cooley, S. et al. Vulnerability and adaptation of US shellfisheries to ocean acidification. Nature Clim Change 5, 207–214 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1038/nclimate2508

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nclimate2508

This article is cited by

Search

Advanced search

Quick links

Nature Briefing

Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily.

Get the most important science stories of the day, free in your inbox. Sign up for Nature Briefing