Articles tagged with Marine Ecosystems
The Logan Science Journalism Program has selected 12 accomplished science and health journalists to participate in its 35th annual fellowship program. The fellows will spend 10 days learning contemporary research techniques at the Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole.
The RAMPAO network in West Africa covers vital habitats for green turtles, with most key migration corridors falling outside protected areas. The study highlights the importance of conservation efforts to protect these species and their habitats.
The study highlights the interconnectedness of the Arctic's natural resources, ecosystems, and people with global events. Climate change, conflict, and increased resource extraction are identified as key drivers of socioeconomic and environmental changes in the region.
Researchers have developed a model to predict Vibrio vulnificus abundance in the canal by analyzing rainfall, water temperature, dissolved nutrients and organic matter. The study found that warmer waters due to climate change may lead to an increase of twice or three times current levels of bacteria by the end of the century.
Correa's lab aims to understand the role of fish feces in maintaining coral health, with potential implications for mitigating climate change impacts. They will test ideas such as introducing more coral-eating fish to reefs to spread beneficial symbionts.
The expanded protected area protects fourteen marine mammal species and improves connectivity of the Eastern Tropical Pacific Marine Corridor. The new management plan prohibits fishing in two-thirds of the area and allows sustainable fishing, reducing bycatch and promoting conservation.
A recent study led by University of Hawaii student researchers found that exposing rice coral larvae to warmer temperatures did not improve survival once the coral developed into juveniles. Instead, rearing at ambient temperatures maximized early life stage survival.
A new study reveals that salt marsh grass in Georgia's coast relies on beneficial bacteria in its roots to access nutrients, improving plant productivity. The research provides insights into the importance of soil microorganisms in maintaining ecosystem health and supporting restoration efforts.
A recent study has identified soil erosion and wildfire activity as significant contributors to the mass extinction event that occurred at the end of the Triassic period. The research found that soil erosion was a more prominent terrestrial ecological stress than intensive wildfire activity, with fire events likely being localized rath...
Floating microplastics from European rivers are found to accumulate in parts of the Arctic Ocean, Nordic Seas, and Baffin Bay. The study's model predicts that these particles have been circulating throughout the Arctic for at least ten years, highlighting concerns for Arctic ecosystems' health.
A new study found that marine cold spells are becoming less intense and frequent due to ocean warming. This shift could reduce the impact of mass die-off events but also diminishs refuges from heat waves, threatening ecosystem resilience.
Researchers at KAUST used drones to track dye plumes in coastal waters, providing insights into the dispersion of materials in the water column and along the coast. The study demonstrated the potential of unmanned aerial vehicles for monitoring time-sensitive events and capturing rapidly developing processes.
An international research team analyzed the microbial community living on the carapaces of deep-sea squat lobsters, finding a diverse microbiome that likely provides benefits to both organisms. The microbes utilize energy-rich chemical compounds, while the squat lobsters may use them as a source of nutrients or have them remove toxic s...
Researchers sequenced bacteria associated with Fucus vesiculosus, finding tissue-specific bacteria important for alga's health. The study revealed new insights into the relationships between marine bacteria and algae, shedding light on the impact of climate change on ecosystem services.
The study found that superlinear scaling occurs in aquatic ecosystems of larger watersheds, releasing carbon back into the atmosphere. Smaller watersheds are less effective at filtering pollutants and mitigating nonpoint source pollution.
A study in Hawaiian coral species found that some display resilience to ocean warming and acidification. Coral samples survived better under certain conditions, with Porites compressa being more resilient than Montipora capitata.
A new analysis reveals Caribbean coral reefs have warmed by 0.5 to 1°C in the past century, with projected further warming of 1.5°C by 2100. Marine heatwaves are also increasing in frequency and length, posing a significant threat to these ecosystems.
A recent study published in Frontiers in Marine Science found that 31% of pet food products from Singapore contained shark DNA, highlighting the prevalence of ingredient mislabeling. The researchers suggest implementing global standards for pet food labels to avoid overexploitation of endangered sharks.
Scientists used data from 1 million marine mammal sightings to identify areas of high marine mammal diversity along the US East Coast. The study found that the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument has some of the richest marine mammal diversity, particularly in the northern part of the Atlantic Coast.
The study found consistent trade-offs between resistance and resilience across four ecosystems: freshwater, saltwater, wetland, and terrestrial. Managing for increased resistance may result in decreased resilience, highlighting the importance of choosing the right management strategy.
A study by University of California, Davis, and NOAA Fisheries confirms a sharp decline in basking shark sightings off California's coast since the 1970s. The researchers found a significant link between shark presence and environmental factors, such as sea surface temperature and El Niño oscillations.
A new study by Oregon State University found that kelp forests tend towards stability in areas with high substrate complexity, which retains 'drift algae' that urchins prefer to eat. This suggests that restoration efforts targeting these areas could create 'hotspots of resilience.'
Researchers at University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science found that marine snow particles help remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, contributing to a more efficient carbon cycle. The discovery sheds light on how oxygen deficient zones play a crucial role in the Earth's carbon cycle.
Scientists discovered massive sponge gardens thriving on top of seamounts in the Central Arctic Ocean, dominated by sponges that feed on remnants of an extinct fauna. Microorganisms support the sponges in exploiting this fluffy material as a source of food and energy.
A new FAU seagrass nursery aims to restore the Indian River Lagoon's seagrass beds, which have declined by 58% since 2011 due to reduced light and intense phytoplankton blooms. The nursery uses optimized conditions to boost seagrass productivity and promote genetic diversity for future restoration efforts.
Researchers found massive sponge gardens on extinct underwater volcanoes, dominated by sponges that feed on microbial symbionts and organic matter. The unique ecosystem supports thousands of years of life, with sponges acting as ecosystem engineers to create their own food trap.
A long-term study in the Southern Ocean shows a clear correlation between warming waters, decreased sea ice, and reduced abundance of Antarctic silverfish. The study suggests that these small fish are crucial prey for penguins, seals, and other regional marine life.
The probe measures salinity, temperature and pressure, making three measurements per metre before returning to the surface. The successful deployment provides valuable insights into freshwater input to the marine Arctic ecosystems and its effects on global ocean currents.
Scientists have characterized thousands of small molecules in coral reef ecosystems, providing insights into food web dynamics and chemical ecology. The study found that corals and seaweeds release diverse compounds that influence nutrient concentrations and availability in the ecosystem.
A study led by Monterey Bay Aquarium reveals more than half of the ocean surface has experienced extreme heat since 2014, posing a threat to marine ecosystems. The research found that these heat extremes increase the risk of collapse for crucial ecosystems like coral reefs and kelp forests.
New research finds the ocean's middle depths are already losing oxygen at unnatural rates and will reach a critical threshold in 2021. Climate change is expected to impact marine ecosystems worldwide, affecting fisheries and other resources.
Healthy-looking ochre sea stars have minimal genetic difference from those displaying symptoms of sea star wasting syndrome. The scientists found no significant genetic variation between healthy and sick individuals, raising concerns about the species' resilience in the face of future outbreaks. However, they identified some genomic re...
Researchers from McGill University found that oxygen levels rose with complex eukaryotic ecosystems, indicating low oxygen was a significant limitation on evolution for billions of years. The discovery has implications for searching for biosignatures in other planets, focusing on ozone detection.
Killer whales have been observed hunting and killing blue whales, with three documented events in Australian waters. The attacks were coordinated and resulted in the whale's flesh being stripped off, highlighting the apex predator's influence on marine environments.
Researchers found that coral species with faster skeletal crystallization rates are more resilient to ocean acidification. A team of UW-Madison students contributed to the analysis and were co-authors on the study. The findings have significant implications for developing mitigation strategies against ocean acidification.
A study by ICTA-UAB suggests that microplastic levels in the Mediterranean Sea are likely higher than previously estimated due to the limitations of current sampling methods. The researchers emphasize the need for a common framework to compare results and combine methods to better understand the distribution and impacts of microplastics.
Researchers developed unprecedented insights into the natural and commercial flow of fish, highlighting the importance of inclusive approaches to fisheries management and conservation. The study's findings indicate a strong connection between larval dispersal and catch distribution in Hawaii, emphasizing the need for community-based ma...
Mass mortality events caused by marine heatwaves are collapsing Mediterranean coral populations, with biomass losses of up to 90%. The study found that these species' slow population dynamics and long-term recovery capacity make them vulnerable to climate change.
Scientists tracked A68A iceberg from its creation to its melting, revealing it released 152 billion tonnes of fresh water near South Georgia. The iceberg's melting influenced local ocean circulation and fostered biological production around the island.
Marine heat waves in the Chesapeake Bay are projected to increase by half a year by 2100, causing devastating impacts on marine life and coastal economies. The study found a significant upward trend in frequency and intensity of marine heat waves within the Bay.
Researchers found that dynamic ocean management is more effective in reducing accidental catch than permanent marine protected areas. Dynamic closures track real-time data and close smaller areas as species hotspots shift, resulting in up to 57% reduction in bycatch.
A study by Kyoto University found that migratory shrimp significantly enriched streams with nutrients, outperforming aquatic insects. The research highlights the crucial role of these small crustaceans in maintaining ecosystem balance and suggests integrating landscape management to support nutrient cycling.
Researchers have discovered a massive fish breeding area in Antarctica, spanning 240 square kilometers and estimated to be home to 60 million icefish. The breeding site is located near the Filchner Ice Shelf in the Weddell Sea and is believed to be the largest contiguous fish breeding colony ever found globally.
Researchers have discovered a vast icefish breeding colony in the Antarctic Weddell Sea, with an estimated 60 million active nests spanning over 240 square kilometers. The colony represents a significant biomass of more than 60,000 tons and provides insight into a globally unique ecosystem.
A team of researchers found that animals with strong site fidelity, which is returning to the same places to eat, travel, and raise their young, may not survive or reproduce as well in changing landscapes. This can lead to population declines, especially in species like mule deer affected by human development.
New research reveals that invasive species can arrive in Antarctic waters from almost anywhere across the globe via biofouling on ships' hulls. Fishing, tourism, research, and supply ships expose Antarctica to non-native species threatening its pristine environment.
The £10m Leverhulme Centre for the Holobiont aims to map associations between microbes and higher organisms to understand how they support each other. This knowledge can help manipulate the relationship to save species from extinction, grow crops more efficiently and restore habitats.
Researchers reconstruct link between ocean warming and shift to smaller fish species using sediment samples from the Humboldt Current System. The study finds that warmer temperatures lead to a dominance of smaller, goby-like fish, pushing back important food fish like anchovies.
A new study by Curtin University has identified the twin mechanisms responsible for the end-Triassic mass extinction event, including ocean acidification and rising hydrogen sulfide levels. This research sheds light on the causes of past marine extinctions and provides valuable insights into the history of our planet.
New research reveals that Prochlorococcus thrive in ocean waters where a shared predator with bacteria and phytoplankton coexists, not just warm temperatures. The study suggests this relationship is crucial for the microbe's survival and population distribution.
Researchers have successfully cultivated an archaeon called Methanoliparia from an oil production facility, which can convert oil into methane and carbon dioxide on its own. The microbe's unique genetic make-up gives it the ability to break down various hydrocarbons and activate enzymes that produce methane.
Researchers found that ocean acidification and global warming alter fish behavior in groups, affecting their ability to acquire food and evade predators. This disruption could lead to species extinction as tropical fish struggle in new temperate areas.
Researchers found that climate change is causing a compound effect of extreme events in the oceans, including heatwaves, acidity, and low oxygen levels. This combination can be fatal to marine species, especially those already living at the upper end of their optimal temperature range.
Researchers at Stanford University have demonstrated that measuring the physics of just a small portion of a coral reef can reveal insights about the entire reef system. This new approach provides low-cost methods for scaling up monitoring efforts, which are crucial for understanding the impact of climate change on these ecosystems.
Researchers estimate that 4.7 million cubic meters of large wood enter oceans annually, negatively impacting coastal and marine environments. The study aims to raise awareness about the consequences of interrupting this natural process.
The study found that climate change impacts are apparent in nearly all aspects of climate variability, including temperature extremes, precipitation patterns, and ecosystem changes. These changes have important implications for sustainable resource management and future adaptation strategies.
Researchers at the University of Exeter found that coral reef restoration projects can lead to a healthy and functioning ecosystem through the soundscape, with increased fish sounds recorded on restored reefs. The study used acoustic recordings from 2018-2019 as part of the monitoring program for the Mars Coral Reef Restoration Project.
Coastal organisms thrive on floating plastic debris in the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre, expanding their biogeography. The discovery reveals that plastic pollution is providing a habitat for coastal species to survive and even thrive in the open ocean.
Risso's dolphins employ a rapid sprint coupled with a spin when hunting deep-sea prey, allowing them to reach great depths in a shorter time. This specialized dive strategy enables the dolphins to exploit the deep scattering layer, a dense aggregation of prey including squid.
A research team has unveiled four distinct habitat-linked genetic groups of deep-sea limpets in the Northwest Pacific, shedding light on their historical population divergence and contemporary gene flow. The study's findings have implications for marine biodiversity conservation and environmental management, providing a scientific basi...