The DFG Priority Programme “Tropical Climate Variability & Coral Reefs” (SPP 2299) is focused on connecting with research programmes and scientists globally to develop strong collaborations and to exchange expertise across various fields. One such connection is with CLIVAR (Climate and Ocean: Variability, Predictability and Change), one of the six core projects of the World Climate Research Programme (WCRP). CLIVAR’s mission is to understand the dynamics, the interaction, and the predictability of the climate system with emphasis on ocean-atmosphere interactions. CLIVAR’s objectives are to facilitate observations, analysis, predictions and projections of variability and changes in the Earth’s climate system, enabling better understanding of climate variability and dynamics, predictability, and change, to the benefit of society and the environment in which we live. On the 19th of February, 2025, SPP 2299 coordination Thomas Felis (MARUM, University of Bremen) and Miriam Pfeiffer (Kiel University (CAU)) were invited to deliver the inaugural session of the new Webinar Series of the CLIVAR Research Focus on Tropical Basin Interaction, which was attended by over 50 participants from around the world.
This talk focused on results from Phase 1 of the SPP 2299 programme, highlighting projects that examine the influence of tropical climate variability on coral reef ecosystems and thermal stressors, as well as showcasing additional key research areas of the programme.
This invitation followed SPP 2299’s engagement with CLIVAR Tropical Basin Interaction member Noel Keenlyside (University of Bergen and Bjerknes Centre for Climate Research, Norway), who participated in the second Topical Meeting of SPP 2299 in September 2024 that focused on “Tropical coral records of climate change and environmental stress”, fostering future collaborations and exchange between the two research communities.
