Using statistical modeling and examining annual average sea-surface temperatures as well as planktonic foraminifer fossil shells from across the globe, researchers determined that declining biodiversity in tropical oceans most likely did not begin in the Anthropocene, but instead started approximately 15,000 years ago in response to rapid post-ice-age warming; however, the authors predict that continued anthropogenic global warming may further greatly reduce tropical biodiversity.
Article #19-16923: "Past and future decline of tropical pelagic biodiversity," by Moriaki Yasuhara et al.
MEDIA CONTACT: Naussica Lau, University of Hong Kong, CHINA; tel: 852-3917-5286, 852-3917-7897; email: nauslau3@hku.hk ; Moriaki Yasuhara, University of Hong Kong, CHINA; email: yasuhara@hku.hk
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Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences