Research on ocean life and coastal ecosystems. Covers ocean carbon protection, sea turtles, plankton and food webs, and warming-driven whale feeding.
A new study has found that invasive subtropical corals can survive and thrive in coastal Sydney, raising concerns for existing coral species. The research suggests that warming temperatures could kill off the native corals, highlighting the need to protect Australia's reefs from climate change.
A new standardized method for measuring calcium carbonate on ocean floors can help researchers compare coral reef health globally. The 'how-to' guide enables the collection of comparable data from coral and oyster reefs worldwide, providing insights into the impacts of climate change and human activities.
Researchers have created a new classification system for coexisting mangrove-coral habitats, identifying four distinct types: lagoons, creeks, fringe areas, and under the mangrove canopy. These habitats are diverse, with about 130 species of corals living in them, and are crucial for coral survival.
A newly installed deep-water pipeline has led to a significant increase in the abundance and diversity of marine life on the Angolan coast. The study found that the pipeline provided shelter and trapped organic matter, which animals feed on, resulting in an immediate boost to sea-floor animals.
A pioneering study shows that climate change was the primary driver of the location of ancient coral reefs, which once extended far beyond the tropics. The researchers used habitat modeling and reconstructions of past climates to predict the distribution of suitable environments for coral reefs over the last 250 million years.
Southern right whale mothers choose shallow nursery sites in 30-foot-deep waters to minimize predator detection, allowing them to communicate securely with their calves. This habitat selection behavior is a new form of acoustic crypsis, reducing the risk of being overheard by predators.
A recent study has found that ocean plastic may be a source of novel antibiotics, with researchers isolating five antibiotic-producing bacteria from plastic debris. The isolated bacteria showed promise against commonly used and resistant bacterial strains, providing hope for an alternative solution to the growing antibiotic crisis.
Researchers discovered over 1,200 RNA viruses linked to carbon absorption on the ocean floor. The study suggests engineered viruses could be used as 'knobs' to control carbon storage, potentially slowing climate change.
A new field study found that warmer waters in the Atlantic and Pacific peak at higher temperatures, leading to increased predator activity and altering prey communities. This warming trend may disrupt balances in ocean ecosystems, potentially leading to changes in species interactions and ecosystem function.
A recent study reveals that historic wooden shipwrecks serve as habitats for diverse deep-sea microorganisms, surpassing the impact of naturally occurring geological structures. The study, conducted in the Gulf of Mexico, found that wood type and distance from the wreck site influenced bacterial diversity.
A University of Otago-led study used genomic analysis to track the origins of kelp found on southeastern New Zealand beaches, revealing connections to South Georgia and Marion Island. Kelp rafts carry a variety of organisms across vast distances, influencing ecosystem dynamics.
A new study finds that cold-water corals thrive when food supply and oxygen content are available, but decline in response to changes. The research, led by MARUM, analyzed sediments from six locations and found that these factors have been critical to coral survival over the past 20,000 years.
A recent study found that brightly colored, round-bodied fish are rated as the most beautiful by the public, while less attractive species tend to be more ecologically and evolutionarily distinct. These unattractive species, including those listed as threatened or in need of conservation evaluation, may receive less public support desp...
Scientists have discovered that Patagonia's giant kelp forests are resilient due to frequent marine cold spells, which help regulate their environment and keep temperatures comfortable. The region has not experienced extreme marine heat waves since 1984, allowing the kelp forests to thrive for almost 200 years.
A new study by the University of Exeter predicts that the pink sea fan coral species will expand its range northwards along the British coast as global temperatures rise. The research found suitable habitat for the species beyond its current northern limits, indicating potential spread by 2100.
Research finds human activity is behind the warmest and wettest winter on record in northwest Russia, raising flood and drought risks. The North Atlantic Oscillation's impact is reduced compared to greenhouse gas emissions.
A recent study led by Nagoya University found that human-made iron in the Southern Ocean may be up to ten times higher than previously thought, with a 60% contribution from fossil fuel combustion. This could lead to decreased photosynthesis and increased CO2 levels, exacerbating global warming.
A team of University of Hawaii researchers found that the number of hours of darkness during the lunar cycle triggers mature Hawaiian box jellyfish to swim to shore to spawn. The study also revealed that jellies are likely to come from the lee of Diamond Head Crater, where they benefit from shelter and food.
New research shows that motorboat noise disrupts parental behaviors in coral reef fish, but reducing noise levels improves breeding success. On quieter reefs, 65% of nests contained offspring, compared to 40% on busy reefs. The study suggests that acoustic sanctuaries can help build resilience on coral reefs.
A new study identifies food and oxygen supply as crucial environmental factors influencing the vitality of cold-water corals in the North Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. The analysis of ancient sediments reveals that changes in food supply, rather than ocean temperature, are likely to determine the future health of these ecosystems.
Researchers found a dramatic increase in shipping in the North East Atlantic, with rates rising by 34% and Marine Protected Areas seeing a 73% increase. This growth poses significant threats to sea life, including non-indigenous species, noise pollution, and marine litter.
New research suggests that 62% of warming in the subtropical North Atlantic is stored in the deep ocean below 700m. The study estimates a further 0.2°C warming in the next 50 years due to climate change.
A new study suggests that large-scale ocean sanctuaries can help protect coral reefs from the effects of climate change. The research advocates for international collaboration to establish mesoscale sanctuaries across national boundaries to conserve these critical ecosystems.
Researchers study the sea-surface microlayer, a biogeochemical reactor where organisms adapt to harsh conditions like UV radiation and fluctuating temperatures. The team aims to understand biological, chemical, and physical interactions in this thin layer, influencing global climate.
A recent study published in Ecology found that climate change and biological invasions are altering the predator-prey landscape in California's coastal estuaries. This interaction increases stress on native species, making them more vulnerable to invasive predators.
The vaquita porpoise, the world's smallest marine mammal, has relatively healthy genetics and can potentially survive if illegal 'gillnet' fishing ceases promptly. Inbreeding poses a threat, but the species may rebound due to its naturally low genetic diversity.
A study of historical tiger shark jaws reveals a local southeastern Australian population has been extirpated due to shark control programs, emphasizing the need for regional management and conservation. Genetic diversity drives future evolution, and its loss can lead to reduced adaptability to environmental changes.
The Save Our Seas Foundation has joined the Shark Conservation Fund to combat overfishing, illegal trade, and habitat destruction threatening shark populations. The partnership aims to conserve shark species, maintain healthy oceans, and address climate change's impact on marine biodiversity.
Researchers discovered zones of bubbling methane flux in Laptev and East Siberian Seas, contributing to climate warming in the Arctic. The study suggests that thawing permafrost and warming waters are releasing methane from hydrates into the atmosphere.
Seagrasses release massive amounts of sugar into their soils, storing up to 35 times more carbon than forests. Microbes thrive on the sucrose despite phenolics inhibiting metabolism, and beneficial relationships between plants and rhizosphere microorganisms are found.
A new study by University of California, Riverside researchers has found that coral-algal symbiosis can initiate without photosynthesis. This breakthrough could help corals survive climate change and ultimately save coral reefs.
Researchers mapped living corals in Hawaii before and after a mass bleaching event, discovering 'winners' that thrive in cleaner waters with less coastal development. The study found coral reefs near heavily developed coasts are more susceptible to mortality during heat waves, highlighting the need for targeted conservation efforts.
Researchers have found a group of deep-sea bacteria that stick to plastic, allowing them to 'hitchhike' across the ocean and potentially enhancing microbial connectivity. These bacteria were discovered in the North-East Atlantic and include strains previously isolated from shipwrecks and extreme environments.
Researchers developed a 3D printing method to preserve coral reefs, using natural structure data and environmental DNA sampling. The process creates customizable structures that can be tailored to specific reef environments, promoting biodiversity and supporting regrowth.
Researchers found that low oxygen areas, or dead zones, were more likely to occur when red tides began in early summer. The study linked hypoxia to red tides across the west coast of Florida, shedding light on the conditions favorable for combined events.
A scientific expedition led by the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute aims to explore and document the biodiversity of Panama's Cordillera de Coiba seamounts. The mission, funded by several organizations, will use advanced technology to study the important habitats in the area.
A new study reveals that freshwater habitats have the highest animal species richness per area, with more than 99% of known animal species inhabiting land and 12% ocean habitats. The research suggests that preserving freshwater ecosystems can protect more species and evolutionary history.
Researchers recorded 600 non-song calls around the Vema Seamount, including a previously unknown 'gunshot' sound. The study highlights the importance of protecting high-sea habitats and creating a network of Marine Protected Areas to ensure seamounts like Vema are protected.
A new study reveals that bacteria in the ocean swim through their environment while hunting for specific chemical cues, governing processes that control climate and marine food web health. The research demonstrates the importance of microbial behavior in shaping the ocean's microbiome.
Researchers developed global forecasts that can provide up to a year's notice of marine heatwaves, which can dramatically affect ocean ecosystems. The forecasts help fishing fleets, ocean managers, and coastal communities anticipate the effects of marine heatwaves, reducing ecological and economic impacts.
Fossil analysis reveals mollusk communities were resilient to major climatic shifts but struggled under human-induced changes, highlighting the need for conservation efforts.
A novel approach to understanding sponge evolution reveals two distinct microbiome compositions that led to different feeding strategies and predator protection. The discovery provides insights into the Earth's past and could reveal aspects of ancient ocean chemistry.
Researchers tracked 60 stingrays for a year, finding they prefer shallow waters but move into deeper lagoons during extreme tides and temperatures. Climate change may alter their preferred habitat, putting them at risk from sharks.
A new study has shown that increased levels of turbulence and mixing occurred every night in a coastal bay, similar to those caused by storms. The researchers attribute the signal to shoals of fish spawning anchovies, which mix water layers and impact temperature distribution, nutrients, and oxygen.
Researchers highlight the need for a holistic approach to managing whale mortality in California's waters. The study identifies five main causes of death, but also emphasizes the importance of addressing nutritional stress, disease and predation to provide a comprehensive conservation strategy.
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...
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.
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.
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.