Articles tagged with Marine Ecology
A new special edition of the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B provides a comprehensive collection of peer-reviewed studies on disease management in marine wildlife. The issue examines emerging pathogens, methodological advances, climate change, and ecosystem-based management.
Research finds that humpback whales face a higher risk of getting entangled in fishing equipment during years with lower availability of cool-water habitat. The Habitat Compression Index can predict ocean conditions up to a year in advance, suggesting its potential as an early warning system for fishery management decisions.
A new SFU study found fibreglass particles in the sediment and biofilm layers of the Cowichan Estuary, which supports shorebirds and shellfish. The researchers recommend immediate management actions to prevent further pollution from abandoned boats and marine infrastructure.
In 2025, global unprovoked shark bites returned to near-average levels, with a significant decrease in the United States. The country accounted for 38% of worldwide incidents, down from over 50% in recent years. Australia followed closely, with 32% of global bites and 56% of fatalities.
Neotropical otter study reveals 40 years of field data showing that otters aggregate environmental signals across time and space. The study highlights the critical Tropical Knowledge Gap in otter research, with 70% focusing on temperate species.
Researchers have developed a new method for cleaning oil spills using massive fire whirls, which can burn through crude oil nearly twice as fast as in-situ fire pools. The results show that fire whirls produce 40% less soot and consume up to 95% of the fuel, leaving fewer harmful particles behind.
A UT San Antonio assistant professor is studying how climate change and urbanization affect freshwater ecosystems by tracking the expansion of exotic tropical fish species into northern regions. The project aims to provide practical tools for natural resource managers to protect Texas waterways.
A new study suggests that releasing pollack closer to their natural catch depths can significantly improve their chances of survival. The research found that releasing fish at these depths can increase survival rates from 56% to over 80%. This could have a positive impact on the long-term sustainability of recreational pollack fisheries.
A juvenile great white shark was incidentally caught in Spanish waters, raising questions about the species' biology and ecology. The study confirms continued, though sporadic, presence of white sharks in Mediterranean waters.
A newly discovered deep-sea chiton was named Ferreiraella populi through a public naming contest on social media. The name translates to 'of the people' and was chosen from over 8,000 submissions.
A field-deployable CRISPR-based biosensing platform has been developed for rapid, on-site monitoring of marine species and ecosystems, offering a sustainable solution for tracking ocean health. The technology has the potential to detect critical species, predict outbreaks, and support early warning systems for ecosystem disruptions.
A global study finds zoantharians, colorful hexacorals, exhibit surprisingly narrow genetic and morphological divergence between oceans. Their ability to disperse via epic larval phases and raft across ocean basins may be key to their success.
Researchers found fossilized plankton suggest a possible long-term recovery from oxygen-depleted oceans despite climate warming. The study, published in Communications Earth & Environment, examined fossilized plankton from the Arabian Sea and found higher oxygen levels during the Miocene Climatic Optimum (MCO) compared to today.
A recent study by Doshisha University researchers found that Japanese media generally accurately conveys the concept of blue carbon, but fails to adequately address its challenges and risks. The study recommends improved collaboration among media professionals, policymakers, and marine scientists for effective science communication.
A third of fish off Pacific Islands' coasts contain microplastics, with Fiji showing a high rate of contamination. Research highlights the pervasiveness of microplastic pollution and its impact on ecosystems and human health.
A new study reveals significant differences in growth patterns between nurse sharks off the coast of Miami and those living just across the Gulf Stream. The research found that juvenile nurse sharks in Biscayne Bay grow more rapidly and reach smaller maximum sizes than their counterparts in Bimini, Bahamas.
A recent study by the MarPITIUS25 project reveals that Ibiza's coastline has lower biodiversity, biomass, and adult fish populations compared to other Mediterranean locations. The study highlights the impact of environmental pressures such as wastewater discharges, desalination plants, microplastics, and intense tourism on the ecosystem.
Researchers studied diet changes among three whale species, fin, humpback, and minke whales, over 28 years. The study found that whales are adapting their feeding habits in response to limited resource availability and increased competition.
A USF-led study using AI shows a significant increase in macroalgae growth globally, with blooms expanding across the tropical Atlantic and western Pacific. The study attributes this shift to climate variability and human activities such as nutrient runoff.
A new study using fossil coccoliths suggests the North Atlantic was 9 degrees Celsius cooler than previously thought during the Miocene epoch. This finding challenges the extreme high-latitude warmth paradigm and aligns with existing climate models for this period.
Researchers captured underwater photos of seabirds, seals, and fish interacting with a small tidal turbine in Washington State. The study provides valuable information on the impact of tidal turbines on marine life. Marine animals were observed swimming, feeding, and even playing around the turbine
Marine darkwaves are short-term episodes of underwater darkness that can severely impact kelp forests, seagrass beds, and other light-dependent marine life. The researchers developed a framework to compare these events across the globe, finding between 25-80 marine darkwaves along the East Cape since 2002.
A UK study found that over 40% of consumers are willing to try new fish species, including sardines and anchovies. The research highlights the potential for improving national health and local economies by embracing home-caught seafood. It also reveals a generational divide in seafood consumption habits.
A new study reveals that giant clam populations in American Sāmoa are stable and abundant due to traditional community-based resource management. Village-managed closures outperform federally protected no-take areas, highlighting the effectiveness of cultural stewardship.
A microscopic nematode genus, Halalaimus, has been discovered in both the Aleutian Trench and the South Sandwich Trench, two isolated deep-sea environments. The three identical genera found in these trenches have adapted to different habitats, highlighting the meiofauna paradox.
Researchers discovered that SAR11 marine bacteria are organized into stable, ecologically distinct groups, adapted to specific environments such as coastal and open ocean. These findings provide new insights into the global ocean's life-support system and climate reactions to threats like pollution and ocean warming.
A new study found that deep underwater earthquakes can spur massive phytoplankton blooms at the ocean surface. Phytoplankton are microscopic, plant-like organisms that float in upper ocean layers and serve as the foundation of the oceanic food chain.
Researchers created comprehensive maps of grey and harbour seal distributions in Northwest Europe, encompassing most seal populations on the continental shelf. The study found that seals routinely cross international borders while foraging at sea, often overlooked in environmental impact assessments.
A Harvard-designed bio-logger captures high-fidelity audio of sperm whale codas, which are later analyzed by machine learning models to uncover structured communication. Recent results show that sperm whales have their own alphabet and use vowels and diphthongs in their language.
A team of researchers from Yokohama National University has discovered a previously unknown species of marine fungus that can kill harmful, bloom-forming algae. The new species, Algophthora mediterranea, was found to be a destructive parasite in a species of algae known to cause toxic blooms with adverse health effects on humans.
A new study reveals that ammonia-oxidizing archaea rely on urea as a nitrogen source, enabling them to flourish in open ocean waters. This discovery challenges existing understanding of nitrification rates and highlights the crucial role of urea in sustaining ocean productivity.
Florida Atlantic University's College of Engineering has received a $600,379 grant to advance technology targeting harmful algal blooms in Florida's waterways. The project aims to develop novel 3D-printed adsorbent materials for efficient phosphate removal.
A new USF study found that tour boats and swimmers routinely violate Mexico's whale shark tourism rules, even when waters are less crowded. The research, based on drone footage from 2016 and 2022, suggests that the world's busiest whale-shark destination is struggling to manage demand, putting vulnerable animals at risk.
Researchers at UMass Amherst found that reducing air exposure, fight times, water temperatures, and increasing angler education are crucial for a sustainable fishery. The team's study revealed that longer fights and higher water temps increase recovery time and stress on striped bass.
Studies in the Tropical Eastern Pacific indicate that sharks thrive in oceanic islands' MPAs, unlike coastal areas where predatory fish are depleted. The research highlights the importance of these refuges for shark conservation.
Researchers found that nutrients in lagoons are highest near the island, lower offshore, and linked to human activities on land. Precipitation acts as a key mediator for connections between land use and lagoon waters.
New research reveals drift logs causing widespread destruction of rocky intertidal ecosystems, leading to population decline in barnacle beds and interstitial invertebrates. This disturbance is comparable to ice-scouring or heatwaves, emphasizing the need for conservation measures to protect organisms in the intertidal zone.
Researchers have recorded hundreds of narwhal interactions with moorings, suggesting that passive acoustic monitoring may not be as non-invasive as assumed. The study found that narwhals were attracted to the devices, possibly due to confusion with prey or curiosity.
Researchers discovered that tiny diatom skeletons transform into clay minerals in just 40 days, rapidly shaping ocean chemistry. This process, known as reverse weathering, influences carbon dioxide levels, nutrient recycling, and marine ecosystems.
The project aims to quantify the link between water conditions, fish populations, and wading bird nesting success in the Florida Everglades. Researchers will collect data on aquatic prey and habitat conditions during the dry season to provide essential insight into restoration efforts.
Research explores connections between Arctic land and sea, revealing how polar bears' health impacts Arctic fox populations and tundra prey. A study also finds that beaver restoration could boost fire and water resilience in California's Sierra Nevada by storing up to 120 million cubic meters of surface water.
A new study finds that deep-sea mining waste can disrupt marine life in the midwater 'twilight zone', where vast communities of zooplankton support the ocean's food system. The waste, released during a 2022 mining trial, has lower concentrations of amino acids, threatening the delicate balance of the food web.
Researchers track benthic nutrient fluxes using a new device called CAROSEL, which measures nitrogen released from sediments in real-time. The findings reveal daily rhythms in oxygen fluxes and highlight the importance of understanding sediment-water interactions in managing aquatic ecosystems.
New research suggests that ocean turbulence and horizontal stirring will dramatically increase in the Arctic and Southern Oceans due to human-induced Global Warming. The study uses ultra-high-resolution simulations to investigate how mesoscale horizontal stirring (MHS) responds to warming, revealing a pronounced future intensification ...
A new study by University of Exeter researchers found that most sharks in UK waters survive catch-and-release fishing when angling best practices are followed. The study tracked the behaviour and survival of over 70 blue, porbeagle, and tope sharks caught in recreational fishing in the British Isles.
Researchers used global environmental DNA (eDNA) surveys to map marine fish species' geographic ranges. These findings highlight current biases in conservation efforts and ecological models.
Researchers uncovered the oldest known complex three-dimensional burrow systems in Hubei's Shibantan Biota, dating back approximately 550 million years. These trace fossils show that complex animal behaviors emerged nearly 10 million years earlier than previously thought.
Researchers closely tracked two species of sea snakes and discovered they perform a unique wiggle while foraging on the seafloor. The study found that this action may aid in buoyancy control, energy conservation, or foraging.
A team of scientists from Chile and the US discovered dozens of red cusk-eels embedded in tubeworm bushes at a methane seep. The finding suggests these seeps are not just habitats for obscure creatures but also important for commercially fished species like cusk-eels.
Researchers tracked oceanic manta rays and found they dive to depths over 1,200 meters to gather information about their environment and navigate across the open ocean. These dives are linked with increased horizontal travel afterwards, suggesting a mental mapping function.
Researchers aim to fill the knowledge gap on Antarctic marine viruses, particularly RNA viruses, to understand their ecological importance. They highlight the need for further research on viral tagging, single-cell sequencing, and studying the marginal ice zone to expand our understanding of these viruses.
Climate-driven oxygen loss can trigger expansion of microorganisms producing methylmercury, a potent neurotoxin. Ancient DNA analysis shows similar processes occurred in the past; modern warming oceans risk similar conditions.
A study found that 90% of marine aquarium fish sold by online retailers in the US come from wild populations, primarily in the western Pacific and Indian Ocean. The reliance on wild capture threatens coral reef ecosystems and puts endangered species at risk of extinction.
A new study reveals diverse relationships between fish and sea anemones, showing mutual benefits in carrying larval polyps for defense. The findings suggest a previously unseen form of symbiosis, where the anemone benefits from dispersion via the fish.
A study found that volcanic ash can enhance phytoplankton growth even at considerable distances from the volcanic site. Researchers detected a surge in phytoplankton levels around Mukojima Island, located 130 km northeast of Nishinoshima, after ash was transported by wind and ocean currents.
Researchers developed a new tool that uses spatial audio and 360° video to pinpoint individual fish sounds, identifying 46 species from the Caribbean coral reefs. The technology enables automatic training of machine learning systems to detect fish species in underwater recordings.
A study analyzing four decades of Italian cetacean strandings reveals that bottlenose and striped dolphins are most commonly impacted by fishery interactions. The research, published in PLOS One, highlights the need for conservation efforts to mitigate these effects.
Researchers found that kelp forests support nearby beaches with high biodiversity due to nutrient subsidies. The connectivity between kelp and beach ecosystems is a local process, with the strongest benefit within 10 kilometers of kelp forests.
The MiningImpact project is investigating the environmental impacts of deep-sea mining on ocean ecosystems. Scientists are studying biodiversity, genetic connectivity, and ecosystem health to develop indicators and threshold values for harm.
Dr. Tanja Stratmann's project investigates how deep-sea sponges have processed nitrogen since ancient times, influencing their ecosystems and shaping past environmental conditions. The study uses incubation chambers and fossilized sponges to determine the role of sponges in past ocean environments.