Articles tagged with Marine Ecosystems
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
A study by Hokkaido University researchers found that seagrass ecosystems are more vulnerable to loss and degradation than mangrove ecosystems. Communities with greater reliance on fisheries and tourism income have higher socio-economic sensitivity due to low adaptive capacity, leading to limited alternatives to fishing. Improving acce...
A Cornell-University of South Carolina-led report warns that warming oceans are driving North Atlantic right whales towards extinction. The calving rate has declined by 26% since 2010, with the population now estimated at just 356 whales.
Climate change and metal pollution have substantially altered Hong Kong's marine communities, particularly in eastern waters, according to a recent study published in Anthropocene. The researchers used small fossil shells to reconstruct the ecosystem over the last 50-100 years, revealing significant impacts on rare species.
Researchers from Tel Aviv and Berkeley Universities propose a model for seaweed farms to absorb nitrogen, reducing pollution in estuarine and marine environments. The study shows that these farms can produce a natural decontamination facility with significant ecological and economic value.
A study by University of Plymouth researchers found that seabed habitats and species recover more quickly following extreme storms than from the impacts of bottom-towed fishing. The research examined the impact of the 2013/14 winter storms on the Lyme Bay Marine Protected Area, off southern England's coast.
A study analyzing over 120 million social media posts reveals that tourists focus more on nature in marine protected areas than neighboring coastal zones. The research found that these areas provide more cultural ecosystem services than adjacent coastal areas.
A new study by Yale University researchers reveals that rivers are the main source of mercury in coastal areas, rather than atmospheric deposition. The Amazon River, Ganges, and Yangtze are among the top contributors, with levels highest in August and September.
A recent study found that microplastic ingestion by dinoflagellates lowers their growth and abundance, affecting the larger marine animals that feed on them. The impact is significant, with energy transfer up the food chain reduced by as much as 30%.
Researchers have identified different thermal tolerance mechanisms in corals, with some species exhibiting 'resilient' and 'resistant' responses to heat stress. The findings provide a toolbox for protecting coral reefs worldwide and inform conservation prioritization.
A long-term study in Elkhorn Slough found that superabundant crabs weaken tidal creek banks, reducing marsh plant growth and increasing erosion. Reducing crab abundance led to increased salt marsh vegetation growth and enhanced sediment density.
A recent study by a FAU team has discovered microplastics in every single mollusc examined from the Svalbard archipelago, including up to 184 particles of eight different types of plastic. The impact on the Arctic ecosystem is still unknown, but laboratory studies suggest that microplastics can cause inflammation in molluscs.
A study by UC Santa Barbara's Marine Science Institute found that understory algae can't compensate for the lost productivity of giant kelp in kelp forests. The researchers discovered a gradual reduction in canopy productivity and an exponential increase in understory algae productivity over 10 years.
Marine ecologists found that mangroves have the lowest functional redundancy among resident fauna, indicating a high risk of ecological collapse. The study suggests that even modest local losses of invertebrate diversity could have significant negative consequences for mangrove functionality and resilience.
A new study from Oregon State University found that climate conditions significantly affect the reproductive success of mature female Antarctic krill. The researchers discovered a relationship between the condition of these females during spawning season and the proportion of juvenile krill in the population the following year.
Researchers warn of devastating consequences for coral reefs as three key species experience changes in distribution due to the climate crisis. Conservation efforts are urged to focus on regions such as the Abrolhos region and the Gulf of Mexico.
Temperate marine ecosystems are becoming more 'simple' due to ocean warming and acidification, resulting in loss of kelp forests and degradation of ecosystem services. The study suggests that warm water corals may replace cold-water species, leading to a shift towards turf-dominated communities.
Researchers identified likely new marine species on nine seamounts explored for the first time in the Phoenix Islands Archipelago. The expedition also collected high-resolution seafloor mapping data and footage of rare organisms, including a glass octopus and whale shark.
A recent workshop report emphasizes the significant ecological importance of whales in maintaining healthy oceans. Whales help mitigate climate change through nutrient transport and carbon sequestration, while also enhancing marine productivity and promoting biodiversity.
Researchers will document species distribution, function of ecosystems and physical environment impact on biodiversity. The project aims to provide detailed biodiversity maps and improve monitoring from space globally.
Researchers investigated aboveground biomass and its spatial distribution pattern of herbaceous marsh vegetation in China, revealing regional variations in biomass density and total biomass. The study provides a scientific basis for carbon sequestration evaluation and adaptive management of marsh wetlands in China.
Research reveals river plastic discharge is significantly underestimated, with microplastics at the surface lasting years instead of days. The study's findings confirm the existence of a 'missing plastic sink' but highlight the need for global action to address plastic pollution.
A study published in Nature Communications found that nearly all nitrogen that fertilizes life in the open ocean of the Gulf of Mexico originates from coastal waters. This discovery is crucial for understanding the food web and survival of commercially valuable species like Atlantic bluefin tuna.
A recent study identified 363 marine invertebrate RNA viruses from 58 samples, revealing high genetic diversity and elasticity. The findings suggest possible virus transmission across different ocean areas and host species, shedding light on the origin of hantaviruses.
Researchers developed a method to identify areas with smoother waters as indicative of microplastic presence, leveraging CYGNSS satellite data. This technique demonstrates the potential for tracking ocean microplastics from space.
Researchers at the University of Miami argue that managed retreat should be viewed as a proactive option to support communities and livelihoods in the face of climate change. The analysis reviews existing literature on the subject and suggests considering strategic and managed retreat alongside other responses like coastal armoring.
Mesobot, a versatile underwater robot, provides unprecedented insight into the mid-ocean twilight zone. The robot tracks and records high-resolution images of zooplankton, gelatinous animals, and particles, greatly expanding scientists' ability to observe creatures in their mesopelagic habitat with minimal disturbance.
Climate change is affecting Baltic herring larvae with earlier appearances and faster growth rates. Rising water temperatures are a key factor driving this shift in the Baltic Sea ecosystem.
Researchers used climate models to demonstrate that climate change can alter Antarctic marine ecosystems, but natural variability can mask human-driven trends. Understanding both is crucial for planning and managing krill harvest limits.
A study led by the University of Barcelona found increased pollutant concentrations in Franciscana dolphin bone remains, primarily from trace elements such as chromium and copper. The increases are linked to human activities like industrial waste and transportation, which accumulate pollutants in the Rio de la Plata estuary.
Researchers have found that restoration action is at risk of failure if it doesn't consider the social and political dimensions of the effort. Key findings include a successful kelp restoration project centered on indigenous worldviews, and a lake restoration project whose main beneficiaries were well-heeled urban residents.
Researchers have developed a new method to track ocean microplastics using satellite data, revealing seasonal changes in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch and releases from the Yangtze River. The study provides valuable information for cleaning up microplastic pollution and deploying resources more efficiently.
A study by Tanja Stratmann and colleagues found that sponges attached to manganese nodules provide a habitat for numerous animal species, including small worms, crabs, and clams. Removal of the nodules would disrupt this ecosystem, leading to a significant reduction in animal diversity.
A new report identifies four major barriers to financing a sustainable ocean economy, including weak enabling environment and insufficient public-private investment. Governments, financial institutions, and other players can make financial gains with sustainable ocean investments.
A new study reveals that deforestation in Central America is altering the composition of natural material washing into nearby rivers, making it less likely to decompose before reaching the ocean. This change has significant implications for global carbon and nutrient cycles, as well as coastal ecosystems.
Two new papers investigate massive plankton blooms with vastly different potential impacts on ecosystems. The studies reveal unexpected productivity hotspots in the Mid-Atlantic Bight, fueled by Gulf Stream water upwelling, and a huge bloom of Phaeocystis pouchetii on the New England continental shelf.
Researchers found that global warming is causing changes to the Arabian Sea upwelling, which could impact commercial fishing, regional climate, and socioeconomics. The study used coral fossils to analyze seawater temperature and salinity changes over a 1,000-year period.
Researchers found that salt marsh sediments accumulate microplastics, with higher concentrations near urban areas and a non-linear relationship to urbanization. The study provides new insights into the impact of human plastic use on ecosystems.
A new study provides evidence for a previously unknown mass ocean extinction event that nearly wiped out shark species 19 million years ago. The study found that sharks declined in abundance by over 90% and in morphological diversity by more than 70% during this period.
Researchers confirm lionfish have invaded Brazilian waters, posing a significant threat to local ecosystems and species. The invasive fish can disrupt ecosystems and disperse quickly due to their broad diet and unique hunting style.
A massive die-off of sharks occurred 19 million years ago, with more than 70% of the world's sharks dying off - a phenomenon not seen since the Cretaceous-Paleogene mass extinction event 66 million years ago.
New research suggests that record-breaking temperatures will occur more frequently in the tropics due to large and growing populations. The study found that normalized temperature data reveals greater warming and more extreme heat events in tropical regions.
A new Yale study finds that seabed burrowers were helpful in creating conditions for complex animal life to expand. Bioturbation altered the chemical makeup of the sea and oxygen levels, fostering the emergence of increasingly productive ecosystems during the Cambrian explosion.
Researchers found that Northern Hemisphere seabirds suffer greater breeding productivity stresses than their Southern Hemisphere counterparts. This suggests the need for hemispheric-scale ocean management and long-term monitoring programs.
A recent study published in Science found that local conditions play a significant role in coral reef survival after climate-driven heatwaves. Managing global climate change and local factors such as nutrient pollution and overfishing can help reefs withstand the effects of climate change, according to researchers.
Newly discovered fish fossils from an eastern Egyptian desert site show that marine fishes thrived in at least some tropical areas during the PETM. The study provides a snapshot of an ecosystem during an extreme warming event and may provide insights for the future.
Researchers developed a tool to correct for Suess effect in marine ecosystems, allowing for accurate stable isotope analysis. The new formula disentangles human impact from ecosystem changes, providing more reliable results.
A recent study revealed a small yet healthy white shark population along the Central California coast, consisting of around 300 individuals. The researchers identified and tracked individual sharks using unique dorsal fin patterns, showing modest growth in the adult population.
A new approach to modeling infectious diseases considers ecological and anthropological contexts, predicting disease emergence and spread. This framework integrates disease agents into general ecosystem models, enabling scientists to simulate pathogen behavior and predict risk.
A new European collaboration outlines initial steps towards a united global plan to protect the ocean's health. The researchers emphasize holistic collaboration to address threats like climate change and pollution, while highlighting the benefits of access to healthy coasts on human wellbeing.
Scientists have identified two marine biodiversity refugia in the Eastern Bering Sea, where species richness and community stability are high. These regions, covering less than 10% of the study area, harbor 91% of analyzed species and support commercially important fish and crab populations.