Phyllospora Reefs: A Case Study

highlighted the importance of reducing greenhouse gas emission to limit temperature increase as well as the vulnerability of Phyllospora to direct habitat damage. Even minor reductions in already small populations of Phyllospora along reefs may have severe consequences (Helle et al. 2011). Isolated or small populations are vulnerable to extinction due to the stochastic variations in genetic, demographic and environmental factors (Lande 1998; Fingas 2004). The fact that it has already disappeared from the Sydney metropolitan area as well as areas of NSW and TAS coastline emphasizes the importance of continuing to improve modelling, monitoring and protection. The structure of this model is relatively universal to intertidal macroalga species, and thus adaptable to other coastal sea areas experiencing climate change. Bayesian networks of environmental systems offer a promising tool to inform further studies and policy on the ecological impacts of emissions schemes and other management decisions. As part of a strategic management tool, application of this model can assist in exhibiting environmental relationships key to the recovery of macroalgal forests (Helle et al. 2011).
While at this point there is still a possibility of each of the RCP scenarios becoming a reality, the ability to visualize the impacts of each will hopefully steer policy decisions towards an RCP 2.6 outcome which would see Phyllospora reefs and rafts recover and remain abundant into the