Articles tagged with Marine Ecosystems
Research reveals that microphytobenthos, a key component of the Dutch Wadden Sea food web, obtains its nutrients primarily from detrital nitrogen in pore water. This finding provides new insights into the ecosystem's dynamics and highlights the importance of considering all nutrient pools in models predicting future changes.
An international research team proposes using engineered nanoparticles to fertilize ocean plankton, encouraging growth and carbon dioxide uptake. The approach has been shown to be safe and effective in enhancing plankton growth through controlled release of nutrients.
Researchers from the California Academy of Sciences developed a new modeling approach to understand how extinct species like the Steller's sea cow impact ecosystems. The study found that including the
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.
HKU Marine Scientists found that oyster reef restoration rapidly increases marine biodiversity, with a 35% shortfall in species diversity and ecosystem services. The research suggests that long-term protection is needed to mature restored reefs into complex ecosystems.
A new study published in the Journal of Zoological and Biological Gardens highlights the successful sea otter rehabilitation program at Monterey Bay Aquarium. The program uses surrogacy as a comprehensive approach to rehabilitation, with 71% of surrogate-reared pups surviving post-release compared to 27% that underwent human-led rehabi...
Researchers discovered that krill oil protects dopaminergic neurons from age-related degeneration through temporal transcriptome rewiring and suppression of several hallmarks of aging. Krill oil increases neuronal resilience, promoting anti-oxidative stress and anti-inflammation, and abrogating multiple aging hallmarks.
Researchers warn of impending 35-60 year droughts in western US unless greenhouse gas emissions are curbed to limit warming to 2.5 degrees Celsius. Mountain snowpack is shrinking due to global warming, threatening agriculture, ecosystem support, and urban water supplies.
A regime shift in the Southeast Greenland marine ecosystem has led to a permanent change from an ice-infested to a more temperate system, with large numbers of fin and humpback whales migrating to the area. This tipping point may be irreversible, having cascading effects throughout the ecosystem.
Researchers found a previously unknown transport route for carbon-rich particles from the Barents and Kara Seas to the deep sea, absorbing up to 3.6 million metric tons of CO2 annually. This mechanism is essential for creating global carbon dioxide budgets and understanding the ocean's role in the carbon cycle.
Researchers used NASA's Earth observing system to estimate light availability beneath Antarctic sea ice and found significant phytoplankton blooms in nearly all example floats. The study suggests that 50% or more of under-ice Antarctic waters may support blooms, potentially supporting life beneath the ice.
Researchers from Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München have identified a new, endemic species of crown-of-thorns seastar in the Red Sea. The species, Acanthaster benziei, differs from other species in the genus by its smaller arms and thinner spines.
Researchers measured phycotoxin concentrations in bull sharks caught in the Indian River Lagoon, finding multiple toxins widespread or persistent in the environment. The study highlights dietary exposure as a key mechanism of toxin transfer to bull sharks.
A recent study found that most Antarctic species' chemical compounds can repel amphipod predators but are ineffective against hermit crabs, which could decimate local populations. This highlights the vulnerability of Antarctic ecosystems to invasive species and underscores the importance of long-term research on the seafloor.
An interdisciplinary team will uncover complex biological systems and develop tools to globally document coral reef health changes. The research aims to understand how herbivory rate at the ecosystem scale emerges and shapes the ecosystem, ultimately informing management of ecosystems.
A new Concordia study reveals that container ship accidents are a growing concern, with significant shortcomings in maritime cargo safeguards. The researchers found that existing regulations are inadequate, and the lack of data makes it difficult to adopt new regulations.
The 'Nature's Envelope' is a simple model that depicts the scope and scale of biology by compiling information about all living organisms' processes. The model plots sizes of participants and durations of processes on a logarithmic grid, revealing broad S-shaped envelope encompassing half of decadal blocks.
Researchers developed a pedigree for aquarium-bred corals, revealing relationships between individuals and identifying genetic differences. The study provides insights into maximizing genetic diversity and adaptability in corals bred for conservation, crucial for their resilience to threats like ocean warming and acidification.
Researchers developed a global indicator to measure marine biodiversity based on extinct fish populations, revealing worsening extinction risk since the 1950s. Implementing management measures can reduce fishing mortality and recover tunas and billfishes, but sharks continue to face threats due to overfishing.
The studies will provide evidence for a new global approach to valuing natural habitats and evaluate biodiversity in marine and urban areas. They aim to deliver on the recommendations from the Government's Dasgupta Review and support nature recovery and halt biodiversity loss.
Despite declining coral, fish, seagrass, and manatees in the Florida Keys, sea urchin populations have remained relatively stable since the 1960s. These marine animals are essential for maintaining healthy environments by cleaning, ventilating, and enriching sediment.
The discussion focused on the impact of ocean acidification, compound events, sea-level rise, and climate injustice, with experts highlighting the need for youth involvement in decision-making. The panel agreed on the urgent need for climate action ahead of COP27, emphasizing cooperation between nations to mitigate the crisis.
The Congo Basin's largest tropical peatland is a critical carbon sink, but it's near a tipping point due to climate change. Scientists have discovered that the peat formed under drier conditions than other tropical swamps, making it vulnerable to transformation into a carbon source.
Researchers found coastal embayments experience episodic hypoxic events and increased hypoxic conditions compared to open coastline. These areas are likely to be impacted by climate change and ecosystem changes.
A team of scientists found that the largest open ocean dead zone in the eastern Pacific Ocean emerged eight million years ago due to increasing nutrient content. This natural phenomenon was caused by changes in weathering and erosion on land, leading to a major transition in terrestrial ecosystems.
The US Harmful Algal Bloom Control Technology Incubator aims to advance innovative ways to control blooms impacting marine ecosystems and regional economies. The partnership between UMCES and Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium will offer funding and guidance for innovative control technology projects.
Current high levels of fishing in Antarctica's Southern Ocean, combined with climate change, are taking a concerning toll on the region. The authors argue that allowing continued fishing will jeopardize this ecosystem and is increasingly unsustainable.
Researchers found that ocean bacteria absorbing carbon dioxide from the air need more energy and resources when infected with viruses and facing predator attacks. This complex interaction can lead to increased carbon sequestration, a key factor in mitigating climate change.
The Black in Marine Science organization, founded by Tiara Moore, aims to increase diversity in the field. Despite its efforts, it still faces significant challenges, including a lack of representation among minority groups.
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.
Researchers developed the first model for the western Baltic Sea, which includes top predators, fish species, and their interactions. Ecosystem-based management increases catches of cod and herring while improving food web resilience to climate change, and potential carbon sequestration is more than three times greater.
A comprehensive classification of world's ecosystems across land, rivers, and wetlands enables effective biodiversity conservation and informed policy decisions. The typology helps policymakers and industry plan initiatives in full context, informing decisions on ecosystem protection and restoration efforts.
A recent study from Japan reveals that color patterns on fish influence their aggressive behavior and determine the color patterns of cohabitating fish. The study found that anemonefish with white bars on an orange or red background exhibit aggressive behavior towards other fish with similar color patterns.
Geoscientists at the University of Sydney have created a method to assess the health of coral reefs from space by analyzing sand aprons. The research reveals that sand aprons can be used to predict carbonate sediment productivity, with significant declines detected in recent years, indicating potential effects of climate change.
A marine heatwave in Baja California led to the loss of a native kelp forest, replaced by invasive algae species. The study found that the warm waters hindered native kelps while allowing invasive species to thrive, potentially affecting other organisms up the food chain.
The Great Salt Lake is losing freshwater input to agriculture and urban growth, causing salt concentrations to spike. Like Iran's Lake Urmia, it's reaching levels stressful for brine shrimp and brine flies, which are essential for migratory birds.
A team of researchers has observed orcas killing white sharks in South Africa using drone and helicopter footage. The study provides the first direct evidence of this behavior, showing that orcas are capable of pursuing, capturing, and incapacitating white sharks.
Research finds that biodiversity metrics may show no change despite reorganisation of ecological communities in oceans, and new species replace lost ones. The study suggests a need for alternative methods to detect species replacements and abundance changes rather than just habitat loss or biodiversity loss.
A recent study by the University of Plymouth and international partners reveals that rapid sea temperature drops of up to 10 degrees were a primary cause of a devastating coral die-off event in Costa Rica's Eastern Tropical Pacific. The research highlights the importance of considering upwellings when managing reef systems, and propose...
Scientists at the University of California San Diego have developed a new biodegradable polyurethane material that can break down in seawater, reducing plastic pollution. The material was tested in marine environments and found to be degraded by microorganisms, which consume the chemicals as nutrients.
A recent study suggests that coral reefs can evolve and adapt to climate change by protecting a sufficient diversity of coral reefs, particularly in hotter waters. The researchers advocate for conservation approaches at local, regional, and global scales to address this issue.
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.
A new genus and species of algae called Protocodium sinense has been discovered in China, providing new insight into the early diversification of the plant kingdom. The fossils are remarkably modern-looking and suggest that green algae were already established in shallow waters as carbon dioxide recyclers and oxygen producers before th...
Research from North Carolina State University and the International Research Laboratory Takuvik found that wildfire smoke in Siberia amplified a phytoplankton bloom in the Arctic Ocean. The bloom was larger than normal, requiring a substantial influx of new nitrogen supply to occur.
Researchers found that developing sea anemones use hydraulic muscles to regulate body pressure and sculpt tissue. The more active larvae are, the longer they take to develop, suggesting a trade-off between movement and growth.
The Arabian Gulf's seasonal near-bottom hypoxic zone has expanded by over 50% since the 1980s, persisting for several months each year. This decline in oxygen concentrations threatens regional fisheries and marine biodiversity.
Scientists argue that shallow-water mining is not a sustainable alternative to deep-water mining due to the removal of habitat and biodiversity loss. The authors caution that the extraction of valuable materials requires rigorous environmental evaluation before it can be declared safe and sustainable.
Researchers Dr Zoe Doubleday and Dr Jasmin Martino created a map of ocean chemistry that distinguishes the origin of seafood between south-east Asia and southern Australia. The universal chemical fingerprints can track where individual seafood comes from, helping to combat seafood fraud and ensure consumer trust.
A new standard will help identify critical areas for shark conservation using criteria that consider biological and ecological needs. The framework aims to support the protection of apex predators facing extinction due to human threats.
Researchers found climate models are less accurate in projecting how tropical cyclones will affect individual coral reefs, highlighting the importance of targeted conservation efforts. The study urges caution when using climate models to identify vulnerable reef communities to storm damage.
A 12,000-year analysis of El Niño's impact on animal communities reveals a tipping point where five or more major events per century lead to dramatic changes in eastern Pacific ecosystems. This finding suggests that strong El Niño events will play an increasingly important role in shaping future ecosystems.
University of South Florida researchers found that mangroves have overtaken 83% of oyster reefs in Tampa Bay, leading to a decline in ecosystem function and habitat for threatened species. Climate-driven changes are altering subtropical ecosystems, threatening the very foundations of coastal biodiversity.
Researchers sequenced giant viruses in the unique freshwater lake, finding a diverse community with distinct genetic repertoires. The study highlights the importance of viruses in biomass turnover and ecosystem balance, particularly in high Arctic environments.
A team of scientists has discovered that adult female leopard seals are 1.5 times larger and longer than males, while females spend more time on ice and land to rest. The study also found high variability in movement patterns and dive behavior among the seals.
Researchers confirm significant increase in freshwater entering the Arctic Ocean via the Bering Strait, leading to a decrease in saltiness and potential impacts on sea ice formation and regional ecosystems. This change could also affect climate-sensitive processes, such as deep water mixing in the North Atlantic.
A new scientific article highlights the need for a global ocean vision to guide marine policies, plans, and programs. The authors propose incorporating Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) into international agreements to develop this holistic approach.
Kelp forests, which sequester large amounts of atmospheric carbon, may struggle to trap it due to accelerating decomposition rates in warmer waters. A study found that sea temperature has a strong influence on decomposition rates, with kelp fragments degrading more slowly in cooler waters.
The University of Guam is conducting a four-person research team's study on the genetics of corals from the Northern Mariana Islands to understand coral population connections, diversity, and adaptations. The study aims to identify potential reserves for declining reefs and assess the impact of warming waters.
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.
Researchers assembled a large biologging dataset to understand how sharks, rays, and skates use the ocean depths. They found that many species migrate vertically in response to food resources, with some diving to extreme depths.