Articles tagged with Marine Ecosystems
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.
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 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.
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 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 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 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.
Australian marine ecosystems absorb and emit large amounts of greenhouse gases, including 20 million tonnes of CO2 annually. Human damage causes 3 million tonnes to be released back into the atmosphere, highlighting the importance of conservation and restoration.
A new multidisciplinary study examines projected changes to the Santa Barbara coast and provides recommendations for adaptation. Key impacts include rising temperatures, increased flooding and erosion, and more frequent droughts.
A team of scientists discovered a giant virus genome in choanoflagellates, unicellular predators that eat bacteria and small algae. The virus encodes genes for microbial rhodopsin proteins, which are also found in vertebrates and help detect light.
According to a new paper by OSU professor Jane Lubchenco, ocean-based activities have significant potential to help reach the 1.5-degree Celsius target by 2050. The report analyzes five categories of ocean-based solutions to reduce emissions, including renewable energy and protecting marine ecosystems.
Acting on ocean-focused emissions activities can significantly contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The implementation of changes in research, technology, and policy development could lead to a substantial reduction in global emissions by nearly 11 billion tons in 2050.
A UMass Amherst climate scientist is contributing to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's (IPCC) Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate. The report assesses the latest scientific knowledge on sea-level rise, ocean changes, and their impacts on coastal communities.
Researchers analyze two recent global warming events, the Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary and Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum, to understand how oceans, animals, and plants respond to rapid climate change. The studies reveal that both events were caused by massive greenhouse gas releases, including carbon emissions from volcanic eruptions.
A study confirms that surrogate-reared sea otters and their wild offspring account for over half of Elkhorn Slough's population growth, with similar survival rates to those reared by wild mothers. The program's success has implications for rebuilding sea otter populations in other California estuaries.
A new study by MBL and BIOS scientists found that hurricanes like Nicole significantly affect the ocean's biological pump, accelerating the transfer of carbon from surface to deeper ocean layers. This boost provides a crucial source of food for marine life in the deep ocean.
This special issue highlights von Humboldt's lasting legacy on mountain ecology and environment. Research focuses on species richness, biodiversity evolution, and soil microbial communities in response to climate change.
Scientists have discovered a day-night rhythm in sulfonate metabolism, reflecting the activity of photosynthetic organisms in the open ocean. The study uses phytoplankton and ocean bacteria to track sulfur-based metabolism, providing insights into the global carbon cycle.
Researchers discovered that Asian dust brings nutrients to the ocean, affecting plankton growth and nutrient availability. The study confirms how tightly coupled plankton biology is to iron supply from the atmosphere, highlighting the need for considering atmospheric and ocean circulation variability in forecasting climate change impacts.
The project aims to develop a cutting-edge, DNA-based toolset to monitor aquatic life in coastal waters and support sustainable fisheries, protect vulnerable species, and manage climate change impacts. eDNA techniques will provide a comprehensive view of marine life and validate the approach as an important tool for ecosystem management.
Researchers analyzed snow samples from remote areas and European cities, finding high concentrations of microplastics in Arctic snow. These tiny particles, often used in synthetic fabrics and other materials, contribute significantly to air pollution and may pose health risks, including lung cancer.
Researchers found that warming oceans are driving up methylmercury levels in fish due to increased energy consumption and changing diets. As sea temperatures rise, fish use more energy to swim, requiring them to consume more calories, which can lead to higher mercury levels.
A study finds that global warming is increasing unexpected ocean temperatures in large marine ecosystems, threatening their diversity and productivity. Forward-looking strategies are more advantageous for adaptation, suggesting that many LMEs will push to their limits due to extreme ocean temperatures.
A new study reveals ocean temperature 'surprises' are becoming more common, disrupting natural and human communities. The research found nearly double the expected rate of warming events globally, with significant impacts on marine ecosystems and decision-making strategies for ocean resource management.
Researchers have developed a new approach to purging water sources of microplastics using tiny coil-shaped carbon-based magnets, known as magnetic nanosprings. These stable catalysts can remove a significant fraction of microplastics in just eight hours and are also magnetic, making them easy to collect for repeated use.
The urbanization of Southern California's beaches has led to a loss of biodiversity, with some beaches showing up to half of their natural inhabitants missing. The disturbance caused by grooming and filling with the wrong sand further exacerbates this issue, impacting the ecosystem health and coastal ecosystems.
Researchers discovered that reactive oxygen species, once thought to cause cellular damage, actually protect phytoplankton cells from overproducing a compound used for photosynthesis. This finding challenges conventional wisdom and may have implications for understanding ocean resilience to climate change.
A Stanford-led study identifies shifting weather patterns and ocean conditions as contributing factors to the collapse of Mexico's jumbo squid fishery. The research found that warmer waters led to smaller, less profitable squid, shutting down the entire industry in the Gulf of California.
Researchers predict blue whales' most likely foraging areas and times using satellite tracking data and environmental factors. The model improves understanding of the species-environment relationship, helping inform population management decisions amid climate change.
Four sparrow species adapt differently to control water and salt balance, with Savannah Sparrows using channel-forming genes, Swamp Sparrows evolving gene changes, Song Sparrows reinforcing cell walls, and Nelson's Sparrows curbing thirst. The adaptations are rapid and accompanied by shared traits like larger bills and darker plumage.
Scientists have discovered a massive seaweed bloom stretching from West Africa to the Gulf of Mexico, dubbed the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt. The belt of brown algae is likely here to stay due to ocean currents and changing chemistry, potentially leading to ecosystem shifts.
Research on coralline algal diversity reveals fewer species and less diversity in urchin barrens compared to kelp forests with sea otters. The study suggests that cryptic species identification alters ecosystem dynamics perception.
Rowan Martindale received a $570,000 NSF CAREER Grant to study ancient ocean ecosystems' responses to rapid global change. Her research focuses on the Early Jurassic's Moroccan High Atlas Mountains ecosystem collapse, which parallels modern climate change impacts.