Articles tagged with Marine Ecosystems
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
A recent study found that invasive Clavelina oblonga marine fouling species reduces diversity in communities it invades and interferes with their recovery following natural disasters. The study suggests that succession patterns do not hold true in the presence of invasive species.
A new study has found that probiotic bacteria can help corals resist heat stress, potentially protecting these vital ecosystems from extinction. By modifying the coral's microbiome, scientists have shown improved resistance to bleaching in experiments.
A trawl ban has led to significant increases in the richness of species and abundance of benthic marine organisms. The study found substantial reductions in suspended solids and increases in total organic matter after the ban.
Researchers found that baby green sea turtles actively orient to the Sargasso Sea, a key habitat during their early years. The discovery sheds light on the turtles' migration patterns and informs conservation efforts.
Scientists are concerned about the potential harmful effects of nanoplastics on ecosystems, but knowledge gaps hinder understanding of their risks. Research is needed to develop analytical methods and study interactions between nanoparticles and biological systems.
Seagrasses can recover from extensive losses without human intervention, according to a 20-year study. The study found that remnants of seagrass and multiple species present increased the likelihood for recovery.
Researchers have created the first atlas of stony coral cell types, revealing specialized immune cells that aid in coral resilience. The study provides new insights into coral biology and evolution, shedding light on the molecular mechanisms behind coral growth and symbiosis.
Researchers at FSU's Center for Ocean-Atmospheric Prediction Studies have developed a new virtual tool to track marine litter in the ocean. The tool provides insights into where mismanaged plastic waste is released and ends up, informing policies and regulations to mitigate its impact.
A team of scientists discovered that microorganisms in the subseafloor are active and adaptable, able to survive on low-carbon conditions. They use carbon dioxide as a building block without converting it into organic carbon first.
African mangrove populations exhibit high genetic diversity, with distinct populations separated by ocean currents and facilitated by connectivity. The study highlights the importance of conservation efforts to protect these ecosystems and their unique biodiversity.
Researchers tracked global ship movements and found a 70.2% decrease in Exclusive Economic Zones during the pandemic's early stages. The impact of reduced boat traffic allowed some marine ecosystems to recover, with clearer water observed in Venice's canals and reduced underwater noise at Vancouver.
Researchers found evidence of sound-related genes in corals, which could enable them to use sound to interact with their environment. This discovery has significant implications for understanding coral communication and developing restoration and conservation projects to protect these critical ecosystems.
A new study by an interdisciplinary team of scientists has discovered a vast microbial ecosystem living deep within the Earth's crust that traps massive amounts of carbon. The microbes, called chemolithoautotrophs, sequester carbon produced during subduction by using chemical energy to build their bodies.
A new index, MEPI, quantifies environmental pollution in marinas by combining chemical and biological parameters. The study's innovative approach provides a simple and complete ecological analysis method to determine a port's quality, enabling authorities to establish minimum ecological quality levels.
Researchers at UNH discovered that climate change impacts deep-sea corals and sponges variably, with temperature and dissolved oxygen affecting sponge distribution and coral growth. High-resolution video analysis identified specific environmental ranges influencing species sensitivity.
A new study suggests that microplastic ingestion by zooplankton can significantly affect the marine ecosystem's nutrient cycling and oxygen levels. Even low concentrations of microplastics can lead to a strong impact on ecosystems.
Scientists found that eradicating rats from tropical islands restores critical nutrient cycles to coral reefs within 16 years. Seabird populations are increasing on islands where rats have been eradicated, boosting the health of surrounding ecosystems and improving their chances of rebounding.
Over 500 million people rely on coral reefs for protection and resources, but these ecosystems are threatened by global warming. A team of scientists recommends a massive energy transition as the most effective action to limit coral reef decline, with international political support necessary.
The Ocean and Climate Innovation Accelerator (OCIA) consortium aims to advance knowledge of the ocean's role in combating climate change and develop new solutions. The consortium will focus on advancing the 'networked ocean' concept, placing sensors across oceanic environments to monitor critical metrics.
A study by Zhang et al. has uncovered evidence of ancient marine algae in fossilized remains from 1400 million-year-old rocks, 600 million years earlier than previously known. The findings suggest that both green and red algal groups were present in marine ecosystems at this time.
A new study reveals that ocean oxygen depletion will continue for centuries if all CO2 emissions were stopped immediately, more than quadrupling the current loss. The long-term decrease in oxygen primarily affects deeper layers, leading to major shifts in marine ecosystems and potentially changing habitats.