Articles tagged with Coastal Ecosystems
Sea surface temperatures reached record highs on the Northeast continental shelf in 2012, exceeding 10.5 degrees C, affecting cod distribution and marine life. The annual spring plankton bloom was intense, starting earlier and lasting longer than average, with implications for species spawning at specific times of the year.
Researchers found that climate change led to a collapse of coral reefs in the eastern Pacific for 40% of their total history, spanning 4,000 years. The study suggests that similar collapse could occur again due to current climate patterns.
A study reveals that cod population increases in central Baltic lead to expansion into adjacent marginal systems, impacting local ecosystems through trophic cascades. This phenomenon underscores the importance of linking local and regional processes for ecosystem management.
A study of extreme coastal storms in the Western Mediterranean found that these events redistribute marine organic carbon, supporting life in deeper waters and enhancing carbon sequestration. The severe damage to coastal environments must also be considered when evaluating human-induced climate change's impact on ocean ecosystems.
The NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science's Center for Sponsored Coastal Ocean Research is initiating a 5-year project focused on the role that Pulley Ridge reefs play in replenishing key fish species and other organisms in downstream reefs. This research aims to develop more effective strategies to protect these ecosystems.
Researchers will investigate the Hanna Shoal ecosystem in the Chukchi Sea to understand its high productivity and potential impact from climate change. The study aims to inform offshore oil drilling operations and protect the Arctic ecosystem, with data integration for future environmental assessments.
A recent study published in Global Change Biology reveals that sewage-derived nitrogen is becoming a dominant source of pollution in the Caribbean, threatening coral reefs and marine life. The researchers' findings suggest that poor stormwater management and wastewater treatment are to blame for this shift.
Researchers have found that models used to assess catastrophic changes can also predict environmental collapse. By monitoring variability in key ecosystem processes, scientists can detect early warning signs of regime shifts and potentially prevent ecological breakdowns.
Human impact on coastal dunes is a significant threat to their conservation in Spain, particularly due to poorly designed infrastructure such as car parks, boardwalks and inadequate access points. A study found that these factors contribute to the instability of the dune systems, even in protected areas.
A recent study analyzed data from almost 2,000 coral reef locations worldwide to determine the link between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. The research found that biomass production decreases with increasing human density, especially in more diverse ecosystems.
Researchers have sequenced the genome of Aureococcus anophagefferens, a brown tide species that outcompetes other phytoplankton in coastal ecosystems. The genome reveals genes that enable the microalga to thrive in low-light conditions and exploit alternative nutrients.
The study found that Galenia pubescens outcompetes native plants, altering ecosystem function and causing a decline in species diversity. Effective control measures are necessary to prevent further invasion and mitigate its impacts on Mediterranean-climate coastal ecosystems.
The world is expected to miss its target to stem biodiversity loss by 2010, with freshwater ecosystems collapsing due to massive mismanagement and growing human needs for water. This has led to an immense crisis in freshwater biodiversity, with species extinction rates four to six times higher than their terrestrial and marine cousins.
The report highlights changes in ocean water temperatures due to climate change, pressures from increasing human populations along the coast, and extensive fishing by domestic and foreign fleets. The ecosystem's natural and human-related changes require effective management and mitigation strategies.
The first comprehensive global assessment reveals accelerating losses of seagrasses, threatening the health and sustainability of coastal ecosystems. Seagrasses disappear at rates similar to coral reefs and tropical rainforests, with a loss of 110 square-kilometers per year since 1980.
A study by Arizona State University researchers found that urbanization's impact on surface hydrology can disrupt nutrient cycling in native ecosystems. The alteration of stream flow and water availability has been linked to increased nitrogen levels, harming riparian species and coastal dead zones.
Researchers from LSU and University of Washington dispute claims that the Gulf's ecosystem is collapsing due to overexploitation. They found little change in fish populations over 40 years, despite the region's unique environment influenced by the Mississippi River.
Scientists are using integrated ecosystem assessments to prioritize strategies for restoring Puget Sound's ecosystem. Increasing salmon production can have negative impacts on wild Chinook salmon populations, highlighting the need for balanced management approaches.
Researchers from Université de Montréal and Cary Institute found that commercial fishing plays a declining role in removing man-made nitrogen from coastal waters. Nitrogen-rich fertilizer run-off has increased nitrogen levels in coastal ecosystems, causing excessive plant growth, lack of oxygen, and reduced fish populations.
Commercial fisheries play a crucial role in removing terrestrial nitrogen from coastal waters, but their contribution has decreased significantly over time. As a result, the global nitrogen balance is becoming increasingly skewed, leading to eutrophication and other environmental problems.
A new study indicates that preserving coastal ecosystem services doesn't have to be an all-or-nothing approach, and a better understanding of how ecosystems respond in a 'nonlinear' fashion could help reach societal compromises. The researchers used the values and uses of mangrove forests in Thailand as a case study, finding that prote...
Researchers explore how modern concepts from mathematical ecology can benefit economically vital yet ecologically complex areas. The four articles in the special section highlight different aspects of attempts to incorporate these concepts into ecosystem-based management.
A study found that overfishing large sharks leads to an explosion of their ray and skate prey species, which in turn devastates scallop populations. The decline of great sharks has triggered cascading effects throughout coastal food webs, impacting local communities that depend on healthy fisheries.
A recent study by Ohio State University scientists reveals that Antarctic warming is reducing animals at the base of the ecosystem, causing some penguin populations to shift southward. The loss of sea ice and decrease in krill abundance will have significant impacts on marine ecosystems.
Seagrasses are critical for coastal ecosystems, providing habitat for aquatic life and mitigating pollution impact. A global conservation effort is needed to protect these habitats.
Two studies use spatially explicit models to quantify ecosystem services and their costs, guiding conservation planning in Paraguay and California. The approaches reveal tradeoffs between biodiversity and ecosystem services, highlighting the need for a systematic framework that balances both.
A review highlights the need for ecological consideration in renewable energy development, particularly offshore wind farms. Environmental impacts of construction, operation, and decommissioning of these projects could harm coastal species and ecosystems. However, offshore renewables also offer opportunities to enhance local biodiversity.
Pelagic shark assemblage declines drastically, with oceanic whitetip shark declining by over 99%, yet no conservation attention is given to these species.
Researchers are using innovative new tools to study coastal ecosystems, including genetic mapping of marine populations and remote ocean sensing. These tools are helping scientists understand the dynamics of ocean environments and track the movement of marine species.
Recent research reveals a mix of natural and human-induced changes in Florida Bay, with a significant increase in the mussel species Brachidontes exustus and a decline in molluscan diversity. Understanding natural variability is crucial to restore ecosystems to their natural state.
Jim Estes, a marine biologist with the USGS Western Ecological Research Center, will pursue research on restoring the Bering Sea and North Pacific ecosystem. He aims to provide information on how human effects manifest in the oceans, leading to drastic ecosystem changes.
The Piping Plover population has shown a significant increase of 7% since the last census in 1991, primarily attributed to conservation efforts along the Atlantic coast. However, midcontinent bird populations have declined due to massive nest flooding on the Missouri River and lack of habitat improvement in prairie potholes.