Recent work led by researchers at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo examined the seasonal drivers of hypoxia along an understudied stretch of the Central California coast. They found that a combination of physical and biological processes that changed seasonally resulted in episodic hypoxic events in this region. The researchers also found the coastal embayment studied experienced an increase in hypoxic conditions relative to the open coastline due to localized environmental conditions. Coastal embayments in these upwelling systems, like the California Current, are likely to be on the forefront of ecosystem impacts of climate change and may act as sentinel systems, or "canaries on the coast," with implications for nearshore ecosystems and potential aquaculture.
Study link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2022.108123
Estuarine Coastal and Shelf Science
Commentary/editorial
Animals
"Canaries on the Coast" - Coastal embayments increase hypoxia risk
1-Nov-2022