The Marine chapter of the 2016 State of the Environment (SoE) report incorporates multiple expert templates developed from streams of marine data. This metadata record describes the Expert Assessment "Pressures on the marine environment associated with climate change - sea surface temperature". The full Expert Assessment, including figures and tables (where provided), is attached to this record. Where available, the Data Stream(s) used to generate this Expert Assessment are accessible through the "On-line Resources" section of this record.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESSURE
Sea-surface temperature (SST) is a vital component of the marine ecosystem system as it exerts a major influence on the structure and function of the marine and atmospheric environment.
DATA STREAM(S) USED IN EXPERT ASSESSMENT
The majority of the assessment is based on data and analyses published in peer review papers. Some analyses of SST observations and model output have been included in the assessment. Details of specific data sets used to generate the assessment have not been provided.
2016 SOE ASSESSMENT SUMMARY [see attached Expert Assessment for full details]
• Assessment grade: High impact. Sea surface temperature has continued to increase and extreme events have occurred in some regions.
• Assessment trend: Deteriorating. Increasing sea surface temperature has significant impact on marine biodiversity and ocean health
• Confidence grade:
• Confidence trend: Adequate high-quality evidence or high level of consensus. Observations and models agree that sea surface temperature will continue to increase and extreme events may increase in frequency
CHANGES SINCE 2011 SOE ASSESSMENT
Grade and trends are somewhat comparable to the 2011 assessment.
