Articles tagged with Marine Ecosystems
Baleen whales are taking advantage of the warming Greenland Sea, with regular feeding frenzies observed in recent years. The abundance of whales has increased significantly, with over 4,000 humpback whales, 6,000 fin whales, and 6,000 minke whales visiting the region in 2024.
Researchers at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute found that coral reefs on Panama's Pacific coast support 100 times more sharks than those in the Caribbean, despite heavy fishing pressure. The study suggests that ocean productivity should be considered when setting conservation targets to avoid overestimating shark populations.
Fossilized shark scales from Panama's Pacific and Caribbean coasts provide a window into ancient shark populations. The study reveals that the two regions once supported vastly different densities of sharks, with the Pacific coast having roughly 20 times more sharks than its Caribbean counterpart.
Scientists have discovered a new coral species growing up to 1 meter tall on rocky outcrops in the Pacific Ocean. The bright yellow coral was found thriving in large numbers among brittle stars and has been classified into a new family, Laurinqueidae.
A recent study reveals that marine microplastics can persist and leach chemicals from plastic additives even after fragmentation. Chemicals such as antioxidants, plasticizers, and flame retardants were detected in both microplastics and larger plastic debris collected around Japan.
Researchers discovered a strong link between environmental variation and thyroid hormone signaling in reef fish, enabling them to adapt to changing habitats. The study found that habitat impacts development by altering gene expression and metabolic profiles, giving animals more flexibility when their environments change.
Researchers have identified a hardy sea sponge that can thrive in polluted harbor habitats, demonstrating an exceptional ability to adapt and even reproduce asexually. The chicken kidney sponge showed outstanding resilience and was found to be particularly effective at filtering pollutants and recycling nutrients.
A new study by Duke University researchers found that atmospheric rivers contribute to marine heatwaves, with a strong association in winter months. The team's analysis of satellite data revealed that active atmospheric rivers often precede peak marine heatwave temperatures, suggesting a causal link.
A new statistical model predicts which Red Sea fish species are likely to invade the Mediterranean, with a focus on their ability to survive without coral reefs. The study identifies three species with high potential to invade: stellate pufferfish, cinnabar goatfish, and yellowspotted trevally.
Researchers provide a framework to assess cumulative heat exposure from marine heatwaves and preceding/post-warming anomalies, revealing underestimation by historic assessments. The study finds that prolonged warm water exposure can create conditions that species may not survive.
Researchers used sonar and underwater imaging systems to find a healthy mesophotic coral garden, 11.5 kilometers off the coast of Benin. The reef, home to eight types of coral and eight species of fish, challenges previous assumptions about its existence.
Researchers found that beavers are widespread in tidal wetlands and create deep pools of water at low tide, providing habitat for threatened species like Chinook salmon. The study expands the known habitat distribution of beavers and highlights their potential role as ecosystem engineers in estuaries.
A newly published paper reveals that Karenia cristata, the source of neurotoxins in a devastating South Australian algal bloom, is the most toxic species ever studied. The bloom caused mass mortality of marine animals and has taken an immense environmental toll on the region.
Researchers at Newcastle University have demonstrated that attaching discarded plastic bottles to fishing nets can reduce dolphin bycatch by 88%, while fish catch remains the same. The study found that plastic bottles act as sound reflectors, helping dolphins detect and avoid the nets.
A new study has unveiled a high-resolution global map of seagrass, revealing areas of loss and recovery, and providing valuable insights for conservation efforts. The map shows that seagrass ecosystems store approximately 640 trillion grams of carbon, equivalent to the yearly emissions of 500 million cars.
Researchers tracked Arabian Sea humpback whales' movements, revealing the first direct evidence of a whale crossing the Arabian Sea. The study found that these whales have adapted to their habitat in a unique way, deviating from traditional migration patterns.
A new species of bumblebee goby, Brachygobius jennie, has been discovered on Hengqin Island in Guangdong Province, China. It is the smallest species within its genus and possibly the smallest known fish in the world.
Researchers have documented the world's deepest and largest known aggregation of whale fossils and active whale-fall ecosystems in the Diamantina Zone of the southeastern Indian Ocean. The discovery, a 'whale necropolis,' reveals insights into deep-sea life, evolution, and dispersal.
A new study has analyzed over 2100 samples to build a genetic dataset containing more than 500 million unique genes, revealing the immense potential of deep-sea biodiversity for developing new technologies. The research found that despite vast genetic diversity, deep-sea organisms rely on stable, core designs to survive extreme conditi...
The Ecological Society of America publishes groundbreaking studies on the rights of nature, highlighting widespread support for conservation. Research also reveals owls' role in controlling rodent populations, while clownfish reveal the importance of partner relationships in shaping biodiversity.
A study by Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research found that Lesser Black-backed Gulls rarely visit wind farms off the Zeeland coast, except for some male birds. Despite being attracted to fishing boats outside the wind farm, the gulls' behavior suggests they avoid entering the wind farm due to unknown reasons.
The University of New Hampshire will lead a national effort to grow and strengthen America's seafood supply through aquaculture research, with a focus on sustainability and environmental friendliness. The $13.5 million initiative aims to expand domestic seafood production and improve food security.
A recent study found that Caribbean reef sharks prefer locations with dense prey populations, making food abundance an essential factor in their habitat choice. The research suggests that prey conservation should be considered alongside fishing bans to support shark conservation.
New research reveals seagrass reproduces through sexual reproduction, producing genetically diverse seedlings that disperse on ocean currents. This discovery provides a new approach to conserving struggling meadows by using the genetic diversity of these seedlings.
Rising ocean temperatures cause corals to struggle with oxygen uptake due to disrupted ciliary motion. At moderate temperatures, corals accelerate ciliary motion to meet increased oxygen demand, but this compensatory mechanism fails at higher temperatures.
Researchers estimate blue buttons can survive for several years drifting on the ocean surface, much longer than previously estimated. The float that keeps them afloat grows new rings from its outermost layer, expanding over time.
Researchers can now estimate genetic diversity of dolphins using environmental DNA (eDNA) from seawater samples, providing insights into population size and vulnerability to environmental changes. The study's findings suggest that repeated eDNA sampling can be used to monitor the health of dolphin populations.
A research team used microbial ecological habitats to predict filter-feeding whale presence, achieving accuracy 53% higher than traditional methods. This approach incorporates eDNA analysis to better understand whale-bacteria connections and inform ocean health monitoring.
Researchers analyzed centuries-old Swedish newspapers to reconstruct past porpoise distribution patterns in the Baltic Sea. The study found that harbour porpoises once occupied a wider area than they do today, with a loss of about one third of their historic range. Historical records provide valuable insights for conservation efforts.
A new study reveals that nitrogen enrichment is significantly reducing the abundance and variety of marine life in UK coastal ecosystems. The research found a strong association between higher nitrogen concentrations and a decrease in animal abundance and species richness.
A new peer-reviewed study finds that bottom trawling in European waters results in significant economic losses, with annual costs reaching up to €16 billion. The destructive fishing practice is also found to be a major contributor to climate change, with its impacts felt throughout the region's marine ecosystems.
Researchers analyzed 20 years of fishery survey data to understand how environmental change affects marine ecosystems. The study found a decline in biodiversity, with biomass concentrated in fewer species, mirroring Maine's coastal economy.
A new study provides a solutions-focused pathway to implementing the High Seas Treaty, highlighting the need for enhanced data resources and sharing. The researchers identify major scientific and technical developments that can help address challenges in biodiversity monitoring and connectivity between areas.
A new study documents the rapid expansion of the Indo-Pacific crab Gonioinfradens giardi in the Ionian Sea, indicating a shift from sporadic occurrence to stable populations. The species' establishment raises concerns about its ecological role and interactions with native species.
Researchers tracked movement, acceleration, depth, and water temperature for nine hammerheads in Florida and the Bahamas waters. They found great hammerheads can effectively hunt fast-moving prey like blacktip sharks in winter and tarpon in summer, suggesting they may tolerate changing climates better than other species.
A study of viral abundance in the Sargasso Sea reveals that viruses with cyclical changes in abundance are most active at night, infecting heterotrophic host microbes. This finding opens new questions about the ecological services provided by oceans and highlights the importance of including viruses in ocean models.
Despite good rainfall improving soils and vegetation, marine ecosystems and wildlife continue to bear the cost of a warming climate. The report found 2,175 species listed as threatened under federal law, with heat stress exceeding thresholds at 79% of reef locations.
A new study using radiocarbon methods reveals that sea turtle shell plates are biological time capsules that record signs of major environmental disturbances in the ocean. By analyzing these layers, scientists can determine where turtles have been foraging and how marine environmental stress events affected them.
A global analysis of over 2,300 seawater samples reveals human-made chemicals make up a significant portion of organic matter in coastal oceans. Industrial chemicals, including plastics and consumer products, dominate the anthropogenic chemical signal, persisting even 20 kilometers offshore.
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.
Researchers have discovered a new species of jellyfish, Malagazzia michelin, found in Japanese waters. The species has distinctive brown spots and a hemispherical umbrella-shaped body.
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.
Researchers have identified the complex shapes of natural oyster reefs are not random, but optimise the establishment and survival of developing oysters. The study provides critical information to guide effective reef restoration using artificial habitats that replicate specific geometric attributes found in natural reefs.
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 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 new study characterizes the sounds produced by flying gurnards, revealing two distinct types of grunt-like sounds that differ in duration, frequency, and rhythm. The researchers also found that juveniles under 10 cm in length produce sounds from an early developmental stage.
A statistically significant spike in shark bites occurs every October in Hawaiian waters, primarily driven by tiger sharks. The research found a strong link between the October spike and the tiger shark's reproductive cycle, specifically parturition, which occurs during September-October.
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.
Dr. Elva Escobar Briones receives the TOS Mentoring Award for her decades-long dedication to mentoring students, early career professionals, and colleagues in biological oceanography. She promotes equity, inclusion, and access to oceanographic training, particularly for underrepresented regions.
A new study by the University of Tennessee shows that virus infection of cyanobacteria releases nutrients, fueling microbial growth and contributing to enhanced oxygen levels in the ocean. The findings suggest a direct link between viral activity and ecosystem functioning below the surface.
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.
Researchers tracked VMS data to detect changes in albacore abundance due to marine heatwaves, revealing the potential of fishing fleets as ecosystem sentinels. The study highlights the importance of using near-real-time data to monitor ecosystem health and prevent fishery collapses.
Researchers found that some phage-resistant mutations enhance bacteria's ability to sink carbon, while others slow down growth rates. The study suggests that the selection of surface mutants may play a key role in marine biological pump and carbon export.
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.
A new USF-led study found a dramatic decline in some historic sargassum populations due to ocean warming and changes in their distribution. This shift could affect the health of marine ecosystems as sargassum supports high biodiversity for various marine species.
Humpback whales are experiencing a significant recovery, with an estimated population of 80,000, thanks to their ability to adapt to changing food sources. Researchers observed humpback whales switching from polar cod to krill in response to changes in the Senyavin Strait ecosystem.
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.
A new study reveals that ocean acidification is accelerating at a rate outpacing atmospheric CO2 levels, with the Northeastern Pacific Ocean experiencing rapid acidification. The research analyzed coral skeletons from the past century, showing that CO2 has been accumulating in North American waters faster than in the atmosphere.