Texas Gulf Coast Ecosystems and Climate Change

Changes in atmospheric gaseous composition and climatic processes are modifying ocean chemistry, water temperatures, sea levels, the duration and frequency of tropical storms, freshwater inputs into bays, and other critical geophysical processes for the Texas coast. Due to warmer ocean temperatures, coral bleaching events, which are becoming more frequent, have reduced the area of living coral at the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary. Higher water temperatures increase the prevalence of hypoxic (low oxygen) water layers, contributing to oceanic dead zones and degraded fisheries habitat in bays. Increased dissolved carbon dioxide lowers oceanic pH, disrupting biomineralization for organisms with shells or skeletons, like oysters and corals. Tropical mangrove species are extending their ranges north from Mexico into Texas, thereby modifying estuarine species assemblages. Rising sea levels are causing recession of shorelines, erosion of bluffs supporting coastal forests, and reductions in the seagrass and the low marsh communities, which support organisms like shrimp and juvenile snapper. Organisms vulnerable to climate-induced coastal habitat changes include migratory birds, sea turtles, and fish of commercial value, including multiple species of snapper and grouper. Saltwater intrusion degrades agricultural soils and salinizes wells and irrigation water. Potential mitigation strategies incorporate public education, further development of Texas coastal renewable energy production, and enhancement of blue carbon sequestration in Texas wetlands and waters.