Articles tagged with Marine Ecosystems
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.
New research explores how climate extremes affect the West Coast Dungeness crab fishery and its impact on whale conservation. The study recommends combining improved forecast systems, technological innovations, and understanding human behavior to reduce whale entanglements.
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...
Researchers used mathematical models to reconstruct evolutionary history of photosymbiosis in Scleractinia, identifying groups where association is stable and others that may be more flexible. The study found that certain lineages are more likely to retain the reef-building trait in a changing climate.
Researchers used GLS tracking data to study sooty terns' migration patterns, showing they range up to 2,900 km from breeding colonies and cover 47,000 km during an eight-month migratory period. The largest breeding population of terns is on Ascension Island, which was designated a Marine Protection Area in 2019.
A new marine reptile fossil from 130-million-year-old rocks in Colombia has revealed a unique dentition allowing it to eat large prey. The discovery clarifies the evolutionary tree of ichthyosaurs and tests new ideas on their evolution.
A study reconstructed ocean warming history in the Arctic Ocean, finding it began rapidly warming at the start of the 20th century due to Atlantification from the Atlantic Ocean. This warming has led to sea ice retreat and salinity increases.
International researchers used machine learning to forecast marsh establishment under various environmental conditions, revealing that controllable local factors are more important than global climate change. The study suggests smart management of tidal flats can counteract threats and strengthen wetlands.
Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum study coral reefs' reaction to climate change, discovering polyp bailout as a potential survival mechanism. The study reveals different species react with varying intensity to environmental stressors, and that individual polyps can survive and grow in new locations.
A global study reveals that industrial fishing has drastically altered the size spectrum theory in oceans, leading to a drastic loss of large fish and whales. Researchers estimate that losses caused by industrial fishing and whaling over the past century are greater than potential biomass losses due to climate change scenarios.
Eukaryotic plankton are highly diverse taxonomically, phylogenetically, and ecologically. The study found that ocean currents significantly influence their biogeography, with smaller organisms being more sensitive to local environmental conditions.
Researchers created a fine-grain understanding of how human wastewater affects coastal waters worldwide, mapping global sources and destinations of nitrogen. The study highlights the impact of modern diets on marine ecology and provides insights for local solutions to tackle a complex global problem.
Researchers have developed a database of parasite-host interactions among ancient ocean animals, shedding light on the evolution of biodiversity and the impact of parasitism on ecosystems. The study suggests that parasites can positively stabilize coastal ecosystems, making them more stable despite individual harm to hosts.
Researchers found strong peaks of local extinction and origination before and after the PETM, indicating a great perturbation of the shallow-marine ecosystem. The ecosystem recovered strongly near the end of the PETM, but the impacts were irreversible, changing faunal composition permanently.
A study published in Conservation Biology found that forests surrounding rivers flowing into the sea increase the diversity of threatened fish species in Japan's estuaries. In contrast, waters surrounded by agricultural land show a decrease in fish populations.
Researchers found that most coralline algae are negatively impacted by ocean acidification, with decreases in abundance and calcification rates. However, some species, like those in the family Mesophyllumaceae, appear to be more resilient to ocean acidification.
New research reveals that blue, fin and humpback whales consume an average of three times more food each year than scientists previously estimated. This increased consumption plays a crucial role in maintaining ocean health and productivity by recycling key nutrients.
New research from Stanford University reveals whales eat twice as much krill as previously estimated, impacting ocean ecosystem productivity. The decline of baleen whales has led to a decline in krill populations, highlighting the complex role of whales in their ecosystems.
Researchers from Syracuse University and UC Berkeley investigate the Late Ordovician mass extinction, finding that climate cooling combined with other factors likely led to the event. The study suggests that temperature change, rather than oxygen depletion, was the primary cause of the mass extinction.
Researchers aim to predict and contain the spread of SCTLD by tracking coral immune responses. The study will examine which factors contribute to a successful immune response, where corals can recover and survive.
Researchers found that warmer seawater temperatures decreased the nutritional content of giant kelp, a vital food source for many marine species. This decline could lead to population declines among consumers of kelp, including fish, invertebrates, and shorebirds, with far-reaching effects on entire ecosystems.
A new study published in Ecological Applications demonstrates rapid expansion of restored eelgrass plots and recovery of ecosystem functions, providing improved habitat for fish and invertebrates. The study shows that restored plots can recover near or at the level seen in natural eelgrass meadows within a few years.
Mangroves have evolved a remarkable resistance to stress in harsh ocean environments. Researchers decoded the genome of Bruguiera gymnorhiza and found that it regulates genes to cope with stress, using adaptive epigenetic changes to survive.
A team of researchers is studying the Flower Garden Banks and other reefs in the Gulf of Mexico to understand how fish populations use natural banks and habitats. The four-year study aims to improve knowledge of essential habitats for key reef fish components.
A study explores how human activities on land can affect aquatic animals, specifically the fungal pathogen Cryptococcus gattii. The research found that terrestrial hotspots were likely where spores settled before infecting marine mammals in the Salish Sea.
A Chinese research team reconstructed past 6,000-year history of Modified Circumpolar Deep Water (MCDW) intrusion into the Ross Sea using ornithogenic sediments. The study found two periods of enhanced MCDW intrusion linked to changes in sea ice and ecological patterns.
A recent study published in Global Change Biology found that declines of Pacific salmon and trout are associated with 40 years of changes in their combined marine and freshwater ecosystems. The study reveals that stressors in both environments combine to impact fish resiliency, resulting in lower survival rates in rivers and the sea.
Researchers challenge long-held notion that humans are bad for ecosystems, finding no correlation between remoteness and coral reef resilience. Instead, areas with higher human influence may recover faster from disturbances due to shifts in coral population dynamics.
A study in Brazil's Santos city showed that citizen science collaboration between civil society and academia can achieve progress toward ocean conservation goals. The project developed a methodology for integrating civil society and academia, including training and validation of monitoring protocols.
Researchers used stable isotopes and fatty acids to unlock the secrets of jellyfish feeding. They found that jellyfish diets could look quite different than expected, with some species not incorporating certain prey into their bodies.
Researchers warn that global warming could make the Amazon barren, the Midwest tropical, and India too hot to live in by 2500. Climate models project a future where vegetation and crop-growing areas shift towards the poles, leading to drastic changes and potential human fatalities.
A new study from Georgia Institute of Technology reveals that increasing coral richness improves coral growth and survivorship. By 'outplanting' diverse coral species, researchers found a potential solution to restore climate-damaged reefs and support fisheries, tourism, and coastal protection.
A new study warns that the Arctic Ocean's 'Last Ice Area,' a region where summer ice traditionally persists, may not survive the century. The study predicts that under high-emissions scenarios, summer ice will disappear by 2100, displacing creatures such as seals and polar bears.
Researchers developed a framework to predict effects of marine heatwaves on ecosystems and identify key species for adaptation. The trait-based approach will help managers tailor strategies to enhance community resilience under climate change.
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 global population estimate of Weddell seals reveals significantly fewer seals than previously thought, with approximately 202,000 female seals in Antarctica. The research provides a benchmark for understanding the effects of climate change and commercial fishing on the seals and their ecosystem.
West Virginia University researchers aim to create better connections with underserved populations to the blue economy, which defines sustainable use of ocean resources. They will analyze data and explore ways to package it in a way that encourages these traditionally underserved groups to utilize the blue economy.
The University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science has sequenced the genome of the blue crab, revealing approximately 24,000 genes and a genome length that is one third of the human genome. This breakthrough will aid in fisheries policies, aquaculture, and potentially track food source origins.
Researchers discovered an ancient mangrove ecosystem in the Yucatan Peninsula, revealing how coastal mangroves adapted to a warmer world with higher sea levels. The study provides insights into past climate change impacts and its relevance to future scenarios of relative sea-level rise.
Ancient human societies adapted to tropical ecosystem dynamics, revealing their adaptability and resourcefulness. By studying these past interactions with the environment, scientists can better understand how to conserve tropical environments.
A study of coral reef systems worldwide reveals that most fish species are picky eaters, with a single larger species extinction jeopardizing the entire ecosystem. The research found that even small losses can create imbalances in food webs.
A new study found that coral reefs have lost half their ability to provide food, jobs, and climate protection since the 1950s, with significant declines in reef coverage and biodiversity. This loss threatens the well-being and sustainable development of human communities on coastal areas.
A University of Queensland-led study found that nearly 85% of coastal areas leach sediment to coral reefs, a major threat. Reforestation can help by reducing sediment transport, increasing light levels for coral growth and reproduction. Land restoration is crucial for building coral resilience.
Researchers at GEOMAR found that seagrass meadows absorb vibrios, reducing their presence by up to 63% compared to non-vegetated areas. This discovery highlights the importance of protecting and restoring these ecosystems to maintain healthy water quality.
Five innovative research projects tackle fundamental questions of environmental and earth science, including the origins of Earth and life on Mars. The studies aim to advance our understanding and lead to important scientific breakthroughs.
The Center for Chemical Currencies of a Microbial Planet (C-CoMP) will conduct transformative research on the behavior of bioreactive molecules and ocean microbes involved in one-quarter of the Earth's annual organic carbon cycle. The center aims to understand the key molecules, their cycling rates, and sensitivity to climate change.
The MPA Guide categorizes MPAs by stage of establishment and level of protection, highlighting the importance of including local peoples in the decision-making process for effective conservation. The guide specifies outcomes for biodiversity and human well-being depending on the chosen level of protection.
The Center for Chemical Currencies of a Microbial Planet (C-CoMP) will conduct transformative research on the ocean chemical-microbe network and its role in climate change. The center aims to improve our understanding of this network's dynamics, sensitivity to climate change, and feedbacks on the planet.
Researchers found that areas protected under 'whole-site' Marine Protected Area (MPA) status have four-fold increases in fish abundance and diversity compared to unprotected areas. The study also showed significant benefits for commercially important fish species and conservation.
A new study reveals that climate change will affect Antarctic seals, such as crabeater and Weddell seals, in distinct ways. Crabeater seals are more vulnerable due to their specialized diet and breeding on unstable pack-ice, while Weddell seals are less affected.
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.