Articles tagged with Marine Ecology
A new analysis reveals that plankton-eating fish play a central role in driving local spikes of extreme biological productivity in tropical coral reefs. These 'sweet spots' concentrate abundant fish production, making them optimal for fishing. The study's findings hold significance for the future of tropical reef fisheries as coral ree...
A 1.5°C temperature increase affects algae and animal species living on UK coastlines, with significant changes in species abundance and breeding patterns. The study highlights the importance of considering local temperature variations when predicting climate change impacts.
A new study led by University of Delaware Associate Professor Kathryn Coyne found that warming temperatures contribute to an increasing number of harmful algal blooms. The study showed that changes in light conditions significantly influence the growth and impact of these algae, particularly for species like Karlodinium veneficum.
A new study reveals that a female elephant seal's age and experience are more important than ocean conditions in determining the condition of her pup at weaning. Higher population densities lead to smaller pups, but older females outperform younger ones.
Arctic krill detect tiny changes in light intensity during polar winter days, allowing them to maintain their daily biological rhythms. This adaptation enables the krill to synchronize their daily migrations with external light cues, such as twilight.
A study found that climate change will alter functioning of marine microbial communities, with plankton at the poles being particularly badly damaged by rising temperatures. In temperate zones, they'll suffer from reduced nutrient flows, while in the tropics, increased salinity will affect them.
The global coral reef crisis is characterized by widespread overfishing, pollution, disease, and climate change. The report highlights the need for swift action to address these issues and identifies management efforts such as reducing pollution and establishing marine protected areas.
A new Stanford University study suggests that rising oxygen levels may have slowed down ancient ocean extinctions. The research found that oxygen levels beyond 40% of present atmospheric levels expanded viable ocean habitat and reduced extinction rates. This discovery has implications for understanding the fate of ocean creatures in to...
Millions of Europeans depend on fishing for food and livelihood, with ocean warming affecting fish distribution and abundance. Regional differences in climate risk highlight the need for locally adapted approaches, including social safety nets and income support.
A new study by the University of Plymouth found that maritime ropes can release millions of microplastic fragments into the ocean annually. The research estimated that the UK fishing fleet alone could be releasing between 326 million to 17 billion microplastic pieces into the ocean every year.
A new study predicts that climate change will cause a sudden shift in algae distribution pole-wards over the next 100 years, affecting marine ecosystems. The UK is among the areas most likely to be severely impacted due to its warm waters, with changes potentially occurring before previously thought.
Coral reefs will experience substantial declines in productivity and survival due to rising sea temperatures and ocean acidification, with some attributes responding similarly to heat stress with or without acidification
Researchers developed a new, accurate method to detect North Atlantic Right Whale up-calls using Multimodal Deep Learning algorithms. The technology outperformed conventional methods in detecting up-calls, non-up-calls, and false alarms.
Scientists discovered two distinct sardine populations in South Africa, one adapted to cool-temperate waters and the other to warmer subtropical conditions. The study suggests the Sardine Run may be a relic of spawning behavior dating back to the glacial period.
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.
The LSU College of the Coast & Environment is conducting research to identify how climate change affects the Florida stone crab fishery. The team will investigate and model how changing ocean temperatures and acidity impact stone crab larval development, behavior, and dispersal.
The Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation has completed the largest coral reef survey and mapping expedition in history, assessing over 1,000 reefs in 16 countries. The Global Reef Expedition provided a comprehensive dataset for coral reef conservation, highlighting the status and major threats to these ecosystems.
A study by University of Plymouth researchers found that seabed habitats and species recover more quickly following extreme storms than from the impacts of bottom-towed fishing. The research examined the impact of the 2013/14 winter storms on the Lyme Bay Marine Protected Area, off southern England's coast.
A new study from the University of California, Santa Cruz, develops a comprehensive framework to determine when short-term changes in behavior caused by human activities have biological significance. The framework highlights the importance of life history traits and specific characteristics of disturbances in assessing vulnerability.
A new study reveals zooplankton exhibit high-frequency 'mini-migrations' due to cloud shadows, affecting their energy expenditure and carbon transport. The daily process of swimming up and down in response to subtle changes in light intensity may have significant implications for Earth's carbon cycle.
Researchers identified specialized immune cells in cauliflower coral and starlet sea anemone that can fight infection. These unique cell types were previously unknown and have implications for understanding coral resilience to climate change.
A recent study found that microplastic ingestion by dinoflagellates lowers their growth and abundance, affecting the larger marine animals that feed on them. The impact is significant, with energy transfer up the food chain reduced by as much as 30%.
A team of scientists from Princeton University found that the Arctic Ocean's nitrogen supply is limited by strong stratification, preventing plankton growth and potentially affecting fish populations. The research used fossilized plankton to study the history of nitrogen sources and supply rates in the western and central Arctic Ocean.
A new study published in Frontiers in Marine Science reveals that small juvenile marine turtles from the Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean have a high incidence of plastic ingestion. Plastic ingestion is suspected to lead to mortality, malnutrition, and chemical contamination. The types of plastic ingested vary between the two study sites...
A team of researchers from the University of California, Santa Barbara, has successfully used environmental DNA (eDNA) to measure beta diversity in aquatic environments. The study found that eDNA analysis was more effective than traditional visual surveys in detecting rare and less abundant species.
A new study from Oregon State University found that climate conditions significantly affect the reproductive success of mature female Antarctic krill. The researchers discovered a relationship between the condition of these females during spawning season and the proportion of juvenile krill in the population the following year.
A new model developed by Newcastle University's researchers tracks the vertical movement of algae-covered microplastic particles, identifying processes that underpin their trajectories. The study shows that particle properties and algal population dynamics determine the movement of microplastics below the ocean surface.
A recent study found that changes in marine fossilization conditions led to a significant increase in diatom abundance during the Cenozoic Era. The researchers built a model of sedimentation rate and ocean temperature on biogenic silica burial efficiency, revealing improved preservation conditions around 5-20 million years ago.
Researchers at the HSE Institute of Ecology suggest that Russia can revise its territorial waters' baselines to ensure sovereignty, rights, and national security. Granting 'historic waters' status could also reinforce Russia's position in the Arctic by utilizing long-term use and permanent occupation of these areas.
Researchers from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution found that anthropogenic noise prompts changes in cephalopod feeding behaviors. Longfin squid were less likely to capture prey during noise playback and more likely to abandon pursuing prey if the noise started during their hunt.
Researchers tracked breeding gannets for 11 years, finding that females travel up to 260km to find food, while males average 220km. The study highlights the importance of long-term studies and suggests differences in diet between sexes may be due to subtle taste preferences.
The study found strong appreciation of natural features in Adelaide's northern metropolitan coastal wetlands, rating them highly for personal wellbeing. Residents developed an attachment to the coastline through activities, valuing these places as they became familiar with them.
A team of oceanographers from the University of Hawaii and colleagues discovered a massive aggregation of fish in the abyssal deep sea, with over 115 cutthroat eels recorded at one time. The finding provides evidence for an abyssal seamount effect, where these mountains can support much higher numbers of animals than surrounding habitats.
Analysis highlights diverse strategies used to sustain fishing livelihoods in modern era, prioritizing diversity and flexibility. Alternative approaches to management and licensing needed to maintain small-scale fishing operations worldwide.
Researchers used advanced technology to study fish communities residing on two World War II shipwrecks off the North Carolina coast. The study found large predatory fish thriving on the wrecks, challenging current understanding of how they find such remote habitats.
A new study found that early-arriving endangered Chinook salmon experience an additional 20% mortality due to sea lion predation. The study also showed that the numbers of California sea lions are highest at the mouth of the Columbia River, increasing exposure to predation.
Researchers found a new species of sea star that clones itself, allowing it to disperse globally and reach the Caribbean. The discovery was made using DNA barcoding and confirms the larvae's ability to clone themselves is a key factor in its distribution.
A new study finds that global plastic emissions may exceed reduction targets by 2030, requiring a fundamental transformation of the plastics economy. To mitigate this issue, experts suggest reducing unnecessary plastics, establishing global limits for new production, and improving waste management.
Research at the Panama Canal has recorded 11 new marine fish species, replacing freshwater fishes in Lake Gatun. The Suez Canal expansion also led to increased salt levels, allowing more non-native species to enter the Mediterranean.
A new study by Swansea University found that environmental factors such as sea surface temperature and cold water upwelling events significantly impact the structure of interaction networks in marine intertidal communities. The researchers analyzed data from 970km of shoreline and discovered that these abiotic drivers modulate species ...
Researchers used GOCI to study high-resolution spatial distribution and tidal variation of suspended sediment over the Yangtze Bank, revealing a tongue-shaped structure and importance of topography in tidal-induced mixing. The study enhances understanding of short-term changes to TSS in Yellow and East China Seas.
A remote at-sea science expedition has completed a first look at the deep waters of the Coral Sea, discovering new corals and possible species never before seen. The team mapped over 35,500 square kilometers of seafloor, creating detailed maps that will be available for scientific research and management.
A new study found that albatrosses wait for stronger winds to fly again and males rely more on strong winds for take-off due to their larger size. The research tracked over 300 albatrosses and combined tracking data with computer modeling to shed light on the role of wind in flight decisions.
The study found that global mean climate velocities in the deepest ocean layers have been 2-4 times faster than at surface over the past 20th century. Climate velocities are projected to continue accelerating even under strong greenhouse gas emission mitigation scenarios, posing significant threats to deep sea biodiversity.
Researchers have found an increase in marine debris collected on beaches of Bird Island and Signy Island, with most items being plastic. Scientists also discovered that fishing vessels contribute significantly to plastic pollution, threatening seabirds and other wildlife in the region.
Researchers have found a rare marine snail, Leptogyra bujnitzkii, in a biological collection from the Soviet Arctic expeditions of the 1930s. The discovery suggests the presence of sunken wood biocenoses in the Arctic Ocean.
A new study led by Dr. Asta Audzijonyte found that changes in water temperature drive changes in average fish species sizes across time and spatial scales. Tropical species tend to get smaller at warmer end of their distribution ranges, while larger species tend to increase in size.
A recent study by Jennifer Welsh found that various sea creatures, such as sponges, crabs, and cockles, can remove a significant portion of virus particles from seawater. These findings suggest that non-host organisms play an important role in regulating virus populations in marine environments.
A new study has shed light on why the world's oceans are home to an astonishing array of species, with slow and steady evolution playing a key role in their diversity. The research analyzed over 20,000 fossil marine animals and found that ecologically flexible groups tend to be more resistant to extinction.
Dr. Jane Lubchenco, a pioneering marine biologist and educator, has been awarded the first-ever Mary Sears Medal for her groundbreaking work on biodiversity and rocky seashore ecology. Her contributions to restoring ocean health and sustainable fisheries have had a lasting impact on the field of marine biology.
A research paper explores Indigenous Australian place relationships using Yanyuwa terms, highlighting the importance of understanding ecological health through Indigenous knowledges. The study examines human relationships with places that play a key role in ecological health, revealing specific terms for good land and sea management.
A group of seven snorkelling grandmothers has helped scientists document a large and previously underestimated population of venomous greater sea snakes in the bay. The project revealed over 249 individual snakes, with new information on breeding patterns and numbers of young.
Researchers found evidence of rapid ocean surface acidification following the Chicxulub asteroid impact, which may have contributed to the K-Pg mass extinction. The study suggests that this acidification led to a significant reduction in global marine primary productivity, lasting up to 40,000 years.
Researchers at Swansea University have created a system that uses a freshwater lens to improve visibility in cloudy waters, allowing scientists to identify fish species with greater accuracy. This breakthrough technology has the potential to monitor wildlife communities around marine renewable developments globally.
Nearshore corals, which grow faster than offshore counterparts due to warmer temperatures, have experienced a decline in growth rates over the past decade. Climate change and coastal development are believed to be major contributors to this decline, with far-reaching implications for global coral reefs.
A landmark study on coral reefs has collected data on over 2.5 million individual corals across 44 countries, revealing alarming rates of bleaching due to climate change, with researchers urging immediate action to protect reefs in the Indo-Pacific region.
Scientists have found evidence that depleted seamounts near Hawaii are recovering after years of federally mandated protection. The team's research suggests that some species are starting to return to these areas, providing a glimmer of hope for the long-term recovery of vulnerable ecosystems.
Coral mass spawning events are becoming more frequent, allowing corals to spread their offspring across different reefs. This phenomenon improves the Great Barrier Reef's resilience and increases its recovery potential.
New research suggests that climate change could lead to the extinction of loggerhead turtles in Cape Verde due to rising temperatures and changing sex ratios. The study projects that by 2100, more than 90% of nests may incubate at lethal temperatures, killing most hatchlings before they can emerge.
A new model predicts blue whale locations based on daily oceanographic data and tagged whale movements. The app will help ship crews and managers avoid collisions with the endangered species along the US West Coast.