Articles tagged with Marine Ecosystems
The Southern Ocean's biodiversity is at risk due to current marine protected areas, which are insufficient to represent the region's unique habitats and species. To address this, a new study suggests doubling existing protected areas to better safeguard biodiversity and resilience in the face of climate change.
A new study found that weakened wind patterns and a thinner ocean mixed layer fueled the record-breaking 2019 marine heat wave, dubbed Blob 2.0, which damaged marine ecosystems and hurt coastal fisheries.
New research found that elevated CO2 concentrations cause profound changes in marine habitats, dominating them with opportunistic algae. This shift leads to a loss of coral-associated species and rearranges feeding behavior, resulting in a 45% decrease in fish diversity.
Researchers found that much good work had been done on oil weathering and degradation by microbes, with significant implications for future research. The study also highlighted the impact of sunlight and oxygen on oil composition, reducing the effectiveness of dispersants.
Researchers from Western Australian Museum and Schmidt Ocean Institute discover a 150-foot siphonophore and up to 30 new species in the abyssal deep sea canyons off Ningaloo. The expedition, led by Dr. Nerida Wilson, used an underwater robot to explore depths of up to 4,500 meters.
A study of Middle Triassic lacustrine sediments found that both lake and peat-forming forest ecosystems took up to 10 million years to recover after the EPME. The restoration of complex lacustrine ecosystems coincided with the termination of the coal gap, a period of no coals deposited worldwide.
A new study outlines steps needed for marine ecosystems to recover from damage by 2050, citing examples of recovery following conservation interventions.
A landmark study published in Nature outlines a roadmap for rebuilding marine life to full abundance by 2050. The research identifies nine key components and six complementary interventions that can accelerate recovery within two to three decades, provided climate change is tackled.
New study reveals ocean deoxygenation as a critical factor in coral reef degradation, highlighting the need for improved data collection and management practices. Researchers warn that reduced oxygen availability exacerbates the impact of climate change and pollution on reefs.
Land animal die-offs began hundreds of thousands of years before marine extinction, with terrestrial vertebrate species declining by up to 70%, while marine extinctions may have occurred over tens of thousands of years. The study suggests a lag between land and sea extinctions, potentially due to different causes.
International team discovers two new species of six-gilled sawsharks in the West Indian Ocean, raising concerns about their vulnerability to overfishing. The discovery highlights the importance of assessing shark and ray biodiversity globally.
A new study finds that soft corals in the US Virgin Islands have recovered from Category 5 storms, but stony coral populations are declining dramatically. The resilience of soft corals is an important development, but they cannot replace the hard physical structure of reefs.
A new study found that urbanization of coastal areas in New England leads to smaller size and poorer health in migratory alewife populations. The researchers examined nine coastal ponds and sampled alewife born in 2008, finding that those from more developed watersheds were nearly half as long and up to 10 times lighter.
Researchers surveyed remote South American kelp forests for the first time in 45 years, finding relatively unchanged ecosystems despite global threats from climate change and human activities. No signs of destructive sea urchin grazing were observed, but fish populations varied by location within the study area.
Research links ENSO climate pattern to detrimental impacts on Southeast Asian coral reefs, revealing long-term environmental changes. Coral cores provide a critical record of local changes in river runoff and rainfall, highlighting the need for resilience to future environmental changes.
Groundwater is a vital source of freshwater for crops and drinking water. A new computer model reveals that 20% of the world's sensitive coastal ecosystems are at risk due to groundwater flow carrying pollutants. Fresh groundwater can provide essential resources, but its high variability poses risks to local ecosystems.
A new study found that low oxygen levels and warm temperatures have a strong negative impact on fish diversity in the Gulf of California. Despite these conditions, some species can survive due to adaptations. The research has implications for managing deep-sea ecosystems as climate change occurs.
Research shows that microplastics are damaging to coral ecosystems, causing significant reductions in population size and cell size. The exposure of endosymbionts to microplastics led to elevated stress levels and reduced detoxification activities, highlighting the importance of minimizing plastic use to preserve the environment.
A study of 170 species found that waves and tides have a bigger impact on marine life in Swansea Bay than human activity. This comprehensive picture will help planners understand the Bay's ecosystem and make informed decisions about ecological impact.
Scientists from the Global Reef Expedition found that many coral reefs in the Cook Islands were in good shape, with high coral cover and diverse fish communities. However, Aitutaki's corals were being ravaged by a crown-of-thorns starfish outbreak, causing significant damage to the reef ecosystem.
A new tool forecasts how marine microbes will adapt to warming seas, revealing two strategies: rapid short-term success and long-term evolution. The study provides valuable insights into the impact of climate change on ocean ecosystems and their role in regulating carbon cycles.
A recent expedition led by the University of Western Australia has revealed rich and diverse ecosystems in the cold waters deep within the Bremer Canyon submarine canyons. The team collected deep-sea corals, fauna, seawater, and geological samples, providing a new understanding of these previously unknown ecosystems.
Scientists investigate microorganisms in the twilight zone of the ocean and find they can degrade recalcitrant organic compounds. The study provides insight into the ocean's carbon cycle and may help predict microbes' role in regulating it.
Long-standing human stressors like agricultural run-off and overfishing have contributed to coral reef die-offs. Coral communities were being transformed by human activities much earlier than previously thought, according to recent studies.
A survey of world's leading deep-sea scientists identified priorities for deep-sea monitoring, including large animals and habitats like deep-sea corals. The study highlights the need for a better standardized monitoring framework to prepare for future management.
A comprehensive global biodiversity map documents life's distribution on land and in the ocean, providing a unified picture of where species occur and how environmental factors influence their presence. The study enables more effective species preservation and informs adaptive management practices in the face of climate change.
A new study found that protecting large animals and plants can reduce wild animal biomass by 44% and soil fertility by 92%, highlighting their fundamental role in ecosystem integrity. Larger organisms transport nutrients, promoting productivity and ecological services.
A new study describes the arrival of the potentially invasive bryozoan Membranipora membranacea on Antarctic coasts via macroalgae, highlighting the vulnerability of Antarctic ecosystems to non-native species. The discovery raises concerns about the potential ecological impact and dramatic changes to local marine communities.
The Global Reef Expedition found that coral reefs in Tonga were moderately healthy, but fish communities needed attention. The report highlights the importance of marine conservation and recommends expanding management efforts to protect fish resources.
A study published in Nature Communications reveals that the 2014-2016 marine heat wave led to a significant increase in humpback whales becoming entangled in fishing gear, averaging 53 confirmed entanglements per year. The shift in whale feeding behavior due to ocean warming caused a greater overlap between whales and crab fishing gear.
Tracking fishing vessels is challenging, especially in international waters. Researchers equipped 169 albatrosses with data loggers to monitor vessel locations and detect undeclared fisheries.
Researchers have developed a portable device that can quickly analyze microbes in oceans, revealing the health of organisms and their response to environmental threats. The tool screens for antibiotic-resistant bacteria and analyzes algae living in coral reefs.
A 700,000-year-old fossil bone found in Japan indicates that a close relative of the modern dovekie was once thriving in the Pacific Ocean. The discovery suggests that dovekies were more abundant in Japan and the Pacific than previously thought.
A new analysis reveals that a marine heatwave caused mass starvation of common murres off the US west coast. The study found that unusually elevated sea temperatures reduced food supplies, leading to widespread die-offs and reproductive failure among seabirds.
A severe and long-lasting marine heat wave, known as 'the blob,' led to the largest seabird die-off in recorded history. The common murre population declined drastically due to a shortage of forage fish and increased competition from large predators.
A new study assesses the impact of deep-sea mining on microbial ecosystems, highlighting the need for policy makers and industry to understand microbes' roles and services they provide. Microbial processes and animal communities are slow to recover from disturbance, and damage can lead to irreversible loss of ecosystem processes.
A new study published in Geology reveals that deep-sea nodules remain uncovered due to their association with seafloor fauna, which forages and burrows sediment around them. The findings suggest that the regions where nodules occur are more extensive than previously thought, highlighting potential economic and conservation implications.
Gelatinous zooplankton contributes significantly to marine carbon cycle, binding large amounts of carbon transported into deep ocean. This contribution is quantified for the first time globally using over 90,000 observations.
A comprehensive study of French Polynesia's coral reefs has been conducted, revealing the healthiest reefs are found around islands with low elevation. The study also found that cyclones and crown-of-thorns starfish outbreaks have decimated reefs in some areas.
Global warming affects Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) predictability, leading to less time for gains in strength and intensity. This challenges regional climate forecasting on multi-year timescales.
A comprehensive new study by USC marine biologists reveals a stable virus community in the ocean, with constant churning of mutants allowing them to adapt and survive. The findings support the Red Queen hypothesis, suggesting that microbes must constantly evolve to outcompete each other.
Key findings from COP25 Oceans Actions Day highlight the importance of protecting Blue Carbon Ecosystems, including mangroves and seagrasses. The event emphasizes the crucial role of oceans in achieving sustainable development goals and reducing climate change vulnerability.
The MOVE-ON project aims to produce sustainable development and ecosystem management models for EU overseas territories in the Caribbean and Pacific oceans. Researchers will investigate ecological conditions and develop conceptual models of ecosystem services provision according to the quality of marine ecosystems.
Research suggests oxygenated ocean waters existed during the 'Snowball Earth' ice ages, allowing aerobic eukaryotes to survive. Iron isotope ratios and cerium anomalies in iron formations indicate input from oxygenated meltwater from the ice sheet base.
The EuroSea project is an international consortium of 55 partners aiming to improve ocean observation in Europe and beyond. The project focuses on combining existing capacities, filling gaps, and making data available to users more easily.
Researchers at Oregon State University have developed an effective method to use underwater robotic gliders to measure sound levels over broad areas of the sea. The gliders can conduct repeated surveys of a region, providing real-time measurements of changing noise levels and helping scientists track ocean sound pollution.
Researchers found that typhoons and eutrophic surface sea waters may be significant sources of dissolved organic nitrogen (ON) in wet deposition. Approximately one-third of total ON wet deposition was attributed to the co-occurrence of intense events like typhoons and strong rainfall.
Researchers found that 44% of colonies of the invasive species Didemnum vexillum are formed by gene chimera, which could promote genetic diversity and colonization success. The creation of chimera may also be a mechanism to increase adaptive success in new environments.
A new study highlights the need for more research on microplastics in North American waters, particularly among commercially important fish species. The team's findings emphasize the importance of understanding microplastic exposure and effects on populations and food webs to inform fisheries management decisions.
Satellites are now essential for monitoring ocean carbon levels, which helps slow climate change. The new study highlights the potential of increased satellite exploitation to fill critical knowledge gaps in ocean monitoring.
A team of scientists has discovered 35 species of marine fungi with unconventional cell division cycles, challenging classical models. The study aims to understand how fungi interact with environments and potentially uncover new biology in the vast marine biosphere.
A recent study found that mountain streams have a higher average CO2 emission rate per square meter than lower-altitude streams due to additional turbulence. The scientists developed a model to estimate natural CO2 emissions from over 1.8 million mountain streams worldwide, indicating geological sources as the primary origin of CO2.
Scientists report that over one-third of ocean areas under protected status result from the annual Our Ocean Conference. The conference has driven meaningful action and elevated ocean issues on the international stage, with 4.8% of the global ocean area now protected.
A study found that a perfect storm of events led to the decline of California's bull kelp forests, resulting in the loss of over 90% of kelp and 96% of red abalone. Purple sea urchin populations exploded, devouring all available food sources. However, researchers are exploring urchin ranching as a potential solution to restore kelp beds.
Researchers have discovered a new species of deep-water coral, Psammogorgia pax, in the Pacific Ocean off Panama. This find is significant for its contribution to understanding the ecology and biodiversity of mesophotic coral communities, which are difficult to access and require increased protection.
A new analysis reveals that global biodiversity is undergoing a large-scale reorganization, with the greatest loss of species in tropical marine biomes. The study, published in Science, suggests that conservation efforts should be tailored to local contexts and locations.
A recent study mapping global biodiversity change reveals varying rates of loss and gain in marine and terrestrial ecosystems. The research found that some regions are recovering while others are experiencing significant declines, with changes occurring faster in marine than terrestrial assemblages.
A study examines the relationship between humans and butter clams in the Salish Sea over 11,500 years. Traditional management practices led to thriving clam populations despite heavy harvesting pressure.
Researchers argue that ignoring grief can cloud judgment, inhibit creativity and make it harder to find solutions. They propose that support for environmental scientists could improve their ability to think creatively about the future.
Researchers explore energy redistribution between atmosphere and ocean, finding no slowdown in global warming when ocean heat content is considered. Oceanic warming poses a threat to marine ecosystems and biodiversity.