5. Conclusions
A one-dimensional wave model has been used to investigate changes in reef top wave dynamics and wave forces under different sea-level rise (SLR) scenarios for a large suite of idealized reef profiles. The model results predict that the impacts of SLR vary spatially and are also strongly influenced by the bathymetry of the reef and coral type. While wave heights increase under SLR, changes in the wave induced velocity are more complex, such that the changes vary reef by reef. For many reef bathymetries, wave orbital velocities increase with SLR during average wave conditions and cyclonic wave forces are reduced for certain coral species. Both these changes suggest sea level rise may be beneficial to coral health and colony resilience because of the potential for increased wave induced orbital motion under average wave conditions or less breakage under cyclonic conditions. However, predicting the impact of SLR on individual reefs requires consideration of the reef bathymetry, the reef zone and the type of coral species. The model and results presented here provides a basis for an initial broad-scale assessment of the impacts of SLR on the ecosystem services provided by reefs.