Articles tagged with Marine Ecosystems
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.
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.
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...
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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 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.
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 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.
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.