Rutgers-led research finds biomineral structures formed by marine algae foment viral infection, contributing positively to capture CO2. The circular, chalk plates produced by the armor-plated marine algae Emiliania huxleyi act as catalysts for viral infection.
A modelling study by an international team of researchers found that climate change will likely disrupt core habitats of marine species, reducing suitable ranges by the end of this century. The results highlight the need for effective conservation management to protect marine biodiversity and resources.
A recent study using planktonic foraminifera fossils found a global clade-wide shift in marine latitudinal zones towards the Equator. The researchers discovered that this shift was not tied to species diversity or functional traits, but rather ecological and morphological characteristics of the organisms.
A well-preserved fossil assemblage from China reveals a rapid recovery of the marine ecosystem after the Permian-Triassic mass extinction. The Guiyang Biota provides an unprecedented snapshot of a highly diversified marine ecosystem only one million years after the extinction event, forcing scientists to rethink their interpretations.
A study led by researchers from the University of Barcelona found that marine reserves are unlikely to restore food webs in marine ecosystems. The protection of fishing did not cause significant changes in trophic structure, but it favored the recovery of some species like the dusky grouper.
A new study provides a technique to inform progress towards international conservation goals, including protecting 30% of marine areas by 2030. The ProtectedSeas Navigator's Level of Fishing Protection score can help guide assumptions about fishing methods and activities.
Researchers found that larvae of the Atlantic mangrove fiddler crab survived less in warmer water and underwent physiological changes due to higher acidity. Marine heatwaves will be harmful to species and those that feed on them, with potential economic losses to fisheries. Further research is needed to understand the effects.
A new subspecies of bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus nuuanu, has been identified in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean. This subspecies is smaller than other common bottlenose dolphins and prefers deep offshore waters between southern Baja California and the Galapagos Islands.
Researchers from University of Miami Rosenstiel School found that fish larvae use external directional cues for orientation, contrary to previous assumption that they rely on internal cues. This discovery offers insights into understanding marine fish dispersal, protected areas and population connectivity.
Research highlights the critical link between island and marine ecosystems, identifying six essential environmental characteristics to guide prioritization of conservation efforts. Restoring islands can maximize returns for conservation management investments in ocean health and biodiversity.
Researchers identify two southward migration events of Arctic ostracods in the Last Glacial Period, revealing the impact of East Asian winter monsoon on marine ecosystems. The study's findings help understand Asian monsoon dynamics and their effects on polar species distribution, highlighting the risk of extinction under climate change.
A study found that ocean warming and acidification decrease the nutritional quality of coccolithophores, a crucial food source for zooplankton species. The study's experiment showed an increase in lipid availability under ocean warming but reduced nutritional content under acidification.
A new study suggests that rapid changes in marine oxygen levels coincided with the Late Ordovician mass extinction, which eliminated 85% of marine species. The research team found that oxygen levels fluctuated rapidly, leading to a decline and eventual recovery, affecting marine ecosystems.
A new species of ancient turtle, Leviathanochelys aenigmatica, has been discovered in Spain with an estimated body length of up to 3.74 meters. This specimen represents the largest marine turtle ever found in Europe and one of the largest worldwide, challenging previous records held by the extinct genus Archelon.
Marine protected areas significantly increase carbon sequestration in seagrass and mangrove ecosystems. Biodiversity and species richness also rise in preserved waters, contributing to food security and human well-being. Full protection is necessary for maximum benefits.
The world's largest fully protected marine protected area, Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, provides spillover benefits for migratory species like bigeye and yellowfin tuna. Research reveals the protections of these regions also affect populations outside their borders.
Genetic and genomic technologies can protect marine life by identifying illegally harvested seafood products and monitoring disease outbreaks. Assisted evolution and synthetic biology could also benefit ocean ecosystems by introducing beneficial species or manufacturing products in the lab.
Marine aquaculture systems can provide a nutrient-rich alternative to terrestrial agriculture, reducing ecological impact and freshwater usage. Microalgae-based aquaculture offers high protein content and micronutrients without land or water requirements.
A new study evaluated the performance of a Seabin device in Plymouth, UK, finding it captured only 0.18kg of litter over 750 hours of operation. In contrast, manual trawls collected significantly more litter with minimal harm to marine life.
A recent study published in Communications Earth & Environment found that stable oxygen levels in the ocean, rather than high oxygen levels alone, triggered the greatest increase in animal species in Earth's history. This discovery may help scientists preserve marine ecosystems and understand how to control ocean deoxygenation.
Researchers have discovered a massive new mosasaur species from Morocco, named Thalassotitan atrox, which filled the apex predator niche. The giant mosasaur had massive jaws and teeth like those of killer whales and hunted other marine reptiles.
Research by the Alfred Wegener Institute found that low-frequency noise from human activities stresses crustaceans, mussels, and worms on the seafloor, impacting their ability to transform sediment and maintain ecosystem function. This could have far-reaching consequences for nutrient cycling and food availability in marine ecosystems.
Marine heatwaves and ocean acidity extremes often co-occur in subtropical oceans, exacerbating negative impacts. Climate change projections indicate a strong increase in compound events, posing severe threats to marine ecosystems.
Researchers have identified 12 marine species as potential bioindicators for monitoring plastic pollution in the North Pacific Ocean. These species, including Pacific oyster and long-nosed lancetfish, can help assess the extent of plastic pollution and inform effective reduction measures.
Researchers found that adult sea urchins can pass on heatwave resistance to their offspring, but this effect may not last throughout juvenile development. The study suggests that different life stages have varying abilities to cope with thermal stress, and that parental conditioning can help juveniles survive in extreme temperatures.
Researchers used marine monitor radar system to track vessel activity near California's marine protected areas. The study found that 40% more boat activity occurred in the vicinity of MPAs compared to surrounding areas, suggesting fishers are aware of MPA boundaries and cluster just outside them for better fishing opportunities.
A small marine isopod helps fertilize red seaweed by carrying pollen on its body, increasing plant growth and reproductive success. The discovery suggests animal-mediated fertilization may have evolved earlier than thought, potentially in both terrestrial and marine environments.
Locations with high marine biodiversity are most vulnerable to oceanic warming, making them particularly susceptible to climate change. This is because species in these regions are ill-equipped to respond to large changes in temperature, requiring them to move at rates rarely seen for marine life.
A global team of experts identifies 15 emerging issues threatening marine and coastal biodiversity, including lithium extraction and deep-sea fishing. The horizon scan highlights the importance of assessing these issues now to drive policy change and protect ecosystems.
A study on harbour crabs reveals that changes in oceanographic fronts alter gene structure, affecting connectivity among populations. The research provides data to improve conservation policies for these crustaceans.
A study by Dr. Armineh Barkhordarian confirms a systematic warming pool in the Pacific caused by human activities, leading to increased frequency and intensity of local marine heatwaves. The region has experienced 31 marine heatwaves over the past 20 years, compared to just nine between 1982 and 1999.
A recent study using satellite images identified over 450,000 ocean oil slicks worldwide, finding that the overwhelming majority (94%) are caused by human activity. The remaining 6% can be attributed to natural sources, highlighting the need for better understanding of global oil pollution and its impacts on marine ecology.
A new analysis reveals that marine RNA viruses predominantly infect protist and fungal hosts, including plankton, and sort into four distinct ecological zones. The study found that RNA viruses have a large influence on the ocean ecosystem, affecting processes like photosynthesis and ocean carbon flux.
Researchers found a dramatic increase in shipping in the North East Atlantic, with rates rising by 34% and Marine Protected Areas seeing a 73% increase. This growth poses significant threats to sea life, including non-indigenous species, noise pollution, and marine litter.
A recent study by Oregon State University reveals that the US has significant gaps in its marine protected area (MPA) network, covering only 25.2% of its waters as fully or highly protected. The analysis highlights an urgent need to improve MPA quality and quantity.
A new study finds that California coastal condors are at increased risk of reproductive impairment due to consuming dead marine mammals contaminated with banned chemicals like DDT and PCBs. Baja California, Mexico, presents a reduced risk compared to the California coast.
Researchers have discovered that a human enzyme converts marine sponge chemicals into cell-killing compounds, which could lead to the development of new cancer and infection treatments. The findings identified an untapped toolbox of natural and synthetic compounds that can be converted by widespread enzymes into potentially useful drugs.
A new study predicts mass extinction in oceans if climate change is not curbed, threatening marine species with extinction. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions could reduce extinction risks by up to 70%, saving ocean life as we know it
A scientific expedition led by the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute aims to explore and document the biodiversity of Panama's Cordillera de Coiba seamounts. The mission, funded by several organizations, will use advanced technology to study the important habitats in the area.
Researchers developed global forecasts that can provide up to a year's notice of marine heatwaves, which can dramatically affect ocean ecosystems. The forecasts help fishing fleets, ocean managers, and coastal communities anticipate the effects of marine heatwaves, reducing ecological and economic impacts.
The expanded protected area protects fourteen marine mammal species and improves connectivity of the Eastern Tropical Pacific Marine Corridor. The new management plan prohibits fishing in two-thirds of the area and allows sustainable fishing, reducing bycatch and promoting conservation.
A new study found that marine cold spells are becoming less intense and frequent due to ocean warming. This shift could reduce the impact of mass die-off events but also diminishs refuges from heat waves, threatening ecosystem resilience.
Researchers sequenced bacteria associated with Fucus vesiculosus, finding tissue-specific bacteria important for alga's health. The study revealed new insights into the relationships between marine bacteria and algae, shedding light on the impact of climate change on ecosystem services.
Scientists used data from 1 million marine mammal sightings to identify areas of high marine mammal diversity along the US East Coast. The study found that the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument has some of the richest marine mammal diversity, particularly in the northern part of the Atlantic Coast.
A new study reveals that marine organisms attach themselves to plastics and are transported by marine currents, contributing to the introduction of non-native species. The research found diverse marine life attached to plastic debris, including bryozoans, which could become invasive and alter ecosystems.
A research team led by University of Adelaide found tangible evidence that Australian elapids arrived by sea rather than land. The study analyzed genomes of two Australian elapids and compared them to marine and semi-marine elapid sea snakes, finding similarities with marine life genes.
Mass mortality events caused by marine heatwaves are collapsing Mediterranean coral populations, with biomass losses of up to 90%. The study found that these species' slow population dynamics and long-term recovery capacity make them vulnerable to climate change.
Marine heat waves in the Chesapeake Bay are projected to increase by half a year by 2100, causing devastating impacts on marine life and coastal economies. The study found a significant upward trend in frequency and intensity of marine heat waves within the Bay.
A recent study found that over half of macroplastics in Mediterranean MPAs originated elsewhere, highlighting the need for international collaboration on plastic pollution management. The study also showed that coastal zones are most impacted by micro- and macroplastic pollution.
A Texas A&M University study reveals that mussel beds shield tiny crabs and isopods from temperature swings and drying out on hot days. This 'ecological air conditioning system' provides crucial protection for heat-sensitive species, helping them weather near-term climate change effects.
A recent study in Frontiers in Marine Science has found over 100 underwater animal species thriving on a 2,200-year-old Mediterranean shipwreck. The 'ecological memory' of the wreck provides valuable insights into how marine animals colonize empty sites and form diverse communities.
A new global atlas reveals that up to 1.9 million km2 of the world's coastal waters are affected by artificial light at night, with significant impacts on marine organisms. The study uses a novel metric to determine the depth of light penetration and highlights the need for further research into the effects of ALAN pollution.
Researchers used GLS tracking data to study sooty terns' migration patterns, showing they range up to 2,900 km from breeding colonies and cover 47,000 km during an eight-month migratory period. The largest breeding population of terns is on Ascension Island, which was designated a Marine Protection Area in 2019.
A new study found that remote ocean wilderness areas sustain larger fish populations, tripling those of the best marine reserves and fisheries. This discovery highlights the importance of preserving these 'living time machines' to protect vital species.
The Centre for Doctoral Training in Sustainable Management of UK Marine Resources (SuMMeR CDT) will train 50 interdisciplinary PhD students to sustainably manage the UK's coasts and seas. The program focuses on subjects ranging from marine sciences to law, health, education, and economics.
Researchers found that the 2013-2015 heatwave known as 'the Blob' reduced the Pacific Ocean's ability to absorb carbon dioxide, leading to a decrease in its role as a carbon sink. Microbial communities responded by shifting towards more nutrient-limited conditions, hindering the ocean's biological pump.
A team of researchers is studying the Flower Garden Banks and other reefs in the Gulf of Mexico to understand how fish populations use natural banks and habitats. The four-year study aims to improve knowledge of essential habitats for key reef fish components.
A UNSW-led study analyzing 10 years of citizen science data found that almost half of marine debris can be linked to land-based sources. Plastic accounts for 84% of the rubbish found on Australian beaches, with a significant portion coming from external sources such as stormwater drains near capital cities.
Researchers developed a framework to predict effects of marine heatwaves on ecosystems and identify key species for adaptation. The trait-based approach will help managers tailor strategies to enhance community resilience under climate change.
The National Science Foundation has awarded a $2.5 million grant to Cornell University to study the transmission pathways of seagrass wasting disease in coastal meadows. The researchers aim to understand how climate warming affects the spread of the disease, which can have devastating effects on marine biodiversity and human health.