Articles tagged with Marine Ecosystems
A new University of Florida study reveals that global warming is already dramatically impacting every aspect of life on Earth. Over 80 percent of ecological processes are showing signs of responses to climate change, affecting species and ecosystems worldwide.
A new study forecasts potential human health impacts from hydroelectric projects on indigenous communities in Canada, finding that over 90% of proposed projects will increase methylmercury concentrations. Mitigation efforts can help reduce these exposures, particularly for those who rely heavily on locally caught food.
A large-scale study of Caribbean coral has yielded discoveries on the pairing process between an endangered coral and its microscopic symbiotic algae. Environmental factors play a crucial role in this relationship, rather than host-symbiont genetics, which could inform work to protect and promote recovery in reefs.
The study found that sunflower sea star populations dropped dramatically after the disease outbreak, while other species such as leather stars and certain sea urchins increased in number. The virus outbreak is expected to have lasting effects on the ecosystem, potentially leading to more browsing on kelp.
A study found dramatic declines in sunflower sea star populations due to sea star wasting disease, affecting the Salish Sea ecosystem's balance. The disease has effectively disappeared these key predators from the area.
A new study by the University of Texas at Austin reveals that seabed microbes in the Arctic Ocean remove substantial quantities of nitrogen, accounting for 5% of global ocean nitrogen removal. The finding highlights the critical role of the Arctic in maintaining a balanced global nitrogen budget.
The study analyzed the macrobenthic assemblages of Southern Bohai Sea over a 60-year period, revealing a shift from K strategy species to R strategy species. The succession process was influenced by environmental changes, including increased seawater salinity and temperature, and human activities such as over-fishing.
A new multiyear study found that warmer ocean temperatures cause Synechococcus cells to divide faster, leading to earlier annual blooms. Despite this, the overall size of the bloom remains stable, and the balance between producers and consumers is maintained through a tight lockstep.
A study by Stanford scientists warns that the future of Antarctic marine protected areas is under threat due to entrenched positions on Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and fishing interests. The authors argue that CCAMLR's failure to adopt a system of MPAs could set a negative example for global ocean challenges.
A single season of intense melting in Antarctica in 2001-2002 provided clues to the future of the continent. The study examined the impacts on two vastly different Antarctic ecosystems, including changes in microbial food webs and penguin populations.
The University of New Hampshire will study ocean ecosystems using underwater acoustic technology in the mid- and south Atlantic Ocean. The research aims to understand patterns and trends in regional ocean soundscapes and processes, including climate change.
Ecologist Kerri Crawford studies the impact of microbial communities on plant growth in restored sand dunes. Her research aims to develop strategies for promoting plant diversity and stability in these ecosystems.
Scientists discovered large areas of 100% coral cover on Hawaiian mesophotic coral ecosystems, which are home to twice as many unique species as shallow-water reefs. The study highlights the importance of these poorly explored environments in understanding coral reef health and management.
Researchers found a connection between unusually warm ocean conditions and the magnitude of the toxic bloom, which resulted in the highest levels of domoic acid contamination. The study identified a single species of diatom as the dominant cause of the bloom, leading to widespread ecosystem damage.
A new study by the University of Adelaide found that nutrient pollution from cities and agricultural land is altering marine sounds, including snapping shrimp and sea urchin noises. This degradation may negatively impact fish populations and their ability to find sheltering habitats.
The report highlights detectable scientific evidence of ocean warming's impact on marine life, from microorganisms to mammals. Ocean warming is causing increased disease in plant and animal populations, impacting human health as pathogens spread more easily in warmer waters.
A new marine biodiversity study reveals the impact of glacial events on subantarctic seabed animals, providing insights into the extent of South Georgia's ice sheet during the Last Glacial Maximum. The research found that most seabed species have not moved far back to recolonize the coast despite having thousands of years to recover.
A new study suggests that sustainable management of the high seas can help compensate for expected losses in fish stocks due to climate change. Closing the high seas to fishing could increase catches in coastal waters by up to 10%, benefiting both productivity and reducing climate change impacts.
New research suggests that closing the high seas to fishing could increase fish catches in coastal waters by up to 10% and help reduce climate change impacts. This approach can benefit tropical countries with high dependence on fisheries for food and livelihood, particularly those affected by rising carbon dioxide levels.
A laboratory study reveals that rising water temperatures have a more significant impact on copepods than ocean acidification, affecting their body size and fatty acid content. The study suggests that food webs will deteriorate due to decreased food quality.
A study by GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel reveals that climate change and eutrophication could lead to a decline in bladder wrack, a crucial species in the Baltic Sea ecosystem. Rising temperatures and increased nutrient supply have negative effects on the seaweed's biomass, while smaller species of algae benefit from ...
Reef fish are adapting to higher CO2 levels by changing their circadian rhythms, a key finding from genomic research. The study found that fish can adjust their internal clocks to compensate for elevated night-time CO2, allowing them to survive in altered environments.
Scientists discovered an abundant and diverse ecosystem on the seafloor of the Clarion-Clipperton Zone, where deep-sea mining is planned. The study found that more than half of the species collected were new to science and relied on polymetallic nodules.
A citizen science project, SOS, uses high-resolution satellite images to help researchers count Weddell seals in the Ross Sea. By contributing to this effort, the public will aid in understanding how fishing affects seal populations and the entire ecosystem.
A University of Washington professor argues that closing parts of the ocean to fishing is not enough to protect marine biodiversity and ecosystems. He suggests regulating fisheries over the entire economic zone as a more effective approach to conservation.
A recent study reveals that a marine heatwave off the western coast of Australia has led to the dramatic loss of kelp forests, covering over 963 km2. The transition has resulted in a shift towards subtropical and tropical marine ecosystems, with significant changes in species composition.
Researchers from the University of Exeter and Bath investigated noise in Falmouth Bay for 14 months, finding varied noise levels affected by natural conditions. This study highlights the need for long-term monitoring to understand human impact on marine environments.
A new study by NOAA Fisheries and the University of California San Diego estimates that the Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean provides 'ecosystem services' worth at least $17 billion. The services include commercial fishing ($2.7 billion/year), sport fishing ($1.6 billion/year), and carbon capture ($12.9 billion/year).
Researchers from the University of Washington and NOAA have created a seasonal outlook for Pacific Northwest waters, providing predictions for water oxygen, temperature, chlorophyll, and pH. The tool shows measurable skill on seasonal timescales, especially at the beginning of the spring upwelling season.
A global mass extinction event killed off most life on Earth, but marine life quickly recovered 3.35 million years later, according to a new study led by University of California, Davis researchers. The recovery was attributed to changes in ocean circulation and mixing that allowed nutrient-rich waters to reach the surface.
A special issue of Deep Sea Research II explores the global issue of chemical munitions dumped at sea, finding that while some munitions pose little risk to humans, others can have adverse effects on fish populations. International collaboration has shed light on techniques for investigating munitions dumpsites and mitigating damage.
These unique ecosystems sustain a diverse range of marine life, including tube worms, giant crabs, and mussels, which consume methane and toxic sulfide. The hydrothermal vents and seeps also release minerals and heat, creating rocks and habitat that can last for tens of thousands of years.
Research highlights factors necessary for successful apex predator recovery, including disease regulation and biodiversity maintenance. The study reveals that full recovery is the exception rather than the rule, with many species facing complex challenges in their recovery pathways.
A UN report finds mesophotic coral ecosystems (MCEs) may preserve some species and replenish shallow reef populations, providing a refuge from bleaching. Cooler, deeper water in MCEs could be more hospitable to many species than warmer surface water, offering a stable environment.
Mode-2 waves can carry beneficial and detrimental materials between ecosystems, trapping them inside layers of different densities. Researchers found that larger bulges result in more material carried by the wave, while small regions of turbulence can cause it to break down.
The study reveals dozens of genes that allow corals to coordinate their response to environmental changes and explains the origin of hard skeleton-forming genes. The database will help researchers understand which coral species may survive or succumb to climate change.
A new study reveals that marine life from the north can easily invade Antarctic waters due to the weakening of the Antarctic Polar Front. As a result, non-Antarctic species could soon colonize the region, leading to drastic ecosystem changes.
Researchers from the University of Bristol found that marine reptiles in the Mesozoic era quickly developed diverse feeding habits and morphological adaptations, expanding their ecological niches. This study, published in Paleobiology, sheds light on the rapid evolution of these ancient predators.
A recent study by Newcastle University has found that finfish populations have declined drastically over the last 65 years due to uncontrolled fishing, with five species now fighting for survival. The research highlights the urgent need for action to protect coral reefs and the ecosystem as a whole.
Scientists from the Malaspina expedition found that polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons account for 15% of oceanic CO2 deposits, with 90,000 tonnes entering Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans monthly. These pollutants can affect ocean life due to their toxicity and alter cloud formation cycles.
A survey of 2,501 Britons found that just 1 in 5 people know about ocean acidification, a critical environmental issue. The study highlights the need to raise public awareness and understanding of this topic, which is often overlooked despite its importance for marine ecosystems.
A recent study by Oregon State University researchers found an unprecedented abundance of juvenile sea star offspring along the Oregon coast, but warns that a second wave of the deadly 'sea star wasting disease' could be disastrous. The disease nearly wiped out the population in 2014 and its impact on the ecosystem is still unknown.
Researchers found that both groups show a nested pattern of distribution, with narrow-ranging lineages concentrated in the tropics and broad-ranging lineages extending into higher latitudes. Species diversification drives expansion across climatic divides, increasing the likelihood of successful crossings.
A new study found that coral reefs use platelet activating factor (PAF) to trigger inflammation, a key process in bringing in protective immune cells. This molecule has been part of human immune systems for over 550 million years, suggesting a common evolutionary origin.
A new study finds that excessive algae growth in coral reefs causes microbes to dominate the food chain, depleting oxygen and releasing harmful pathogens. This leads to a runaway feedback loop, further coral death and ecosystem collapse. The research highlights the impact of human activities on coral reef ecosystems.
A recent study highlights the need for sustainable shark conservation in Indonesia, where fin harvesting contributes to over 3 million shark deaths annually. Implementing no-fishing zones and providing alternative livelihood options can help protect shark populations and support local communities.
The Mid-Atlantic Regional Council on the Ocean hosted a regional workshop to discuss deepsea canyons ecosystem and existing management programs. Participants emphasized research, data sharing, outreach, and solutions to address pollution and climate change impacts on the canyons.
Current methods for predicting damage to coral reefs are limited by a focus on individual species in isolation. To address this, researchers propose combining empirical evidence with traditional biological scaling models and computer simulations to understand the emergent properties of acidification-afflicted reef ecosystems. This appr...
Researchers suggest targeting over-exploitation of resources like forests and fisheries by partitioning ecosystems into specialized harvesting niches. This approach could lead to higher sustainable quotas and productive industrial systems.
A 20-member scientific panel warns that increases in global carbon dioxide emissions are acidifying waters of the North American West Coast at an accelerating rate, with severe ecological consequences anticipated. The panel recommends a coordinated regional management strategy to mitigate the impacts of ocean acidification.
A study published in Geophysical Research Letters found that marine heatwaves have recurred regularly since 1950 but have become more common since the 1970s. The research analyzed ocean surface temperature observations over 65 years, including a notable 'warm blob' in the Pacific Northwest from 2013 to 2015.
The article discusses a scientific plan developed by UCSB researchers to quantify present conditions in the ocean's carbon cycle and predict its future states. The plan, known as EXPORTS, combines modeling, satellite data, and field sampling to understand how carbon is processed by the world's oceans.
The study reveals that the decline of traditional women's work in the marshes has led to a narrowing of daily life to domestic tasks. The Marsh Arab women's unique cultural relationship with the ecosystem is being lost as natural resources vanish, and their roles are taken over by men.
Using tiny bubbles in seawater can help reduce acidity and promote coral growth, potentially saving the world's largest reef systems. The technique could provide a cost-effective solution to mitigate the effects of climate change.
Conservation biologists at the University of Exeter found that attaching green LED lights to gillnets reduced sea turtle deaths by 64%, without affecting fish catch, in a small-scale Peruvian fishery. The study showed that the cost of saving one turtle was £24, making it a cost-effective solution.
A genetic study on 'Burnt Hot Dog' sea cucumbers reveals low genetic diversity in polluted areas, highlighting the need for increased fisheries management and protections. The study also finds that these sea cucumbers play a crucial role in maintaining marine ecosystems.
A study suggests that setting aside at least 30 percent of the ocean for protection could have numerous benefits for conservation, fisheries, and other stakeholders. The research found a surprising consensus among previous studies on an ambitious target for ocean protection.
Researchers analyzed old tourist photos to reconstruct the rise and fall of common guillemot populations on Stora Karlsö. The study found a significant increase in population size, with numbers more than five times bigger than in the early 20th century.
The paper inventories 1,268 biological field stations globally, highlighting their importance for long-term data collection, education, and public engagement. The author emphasizes the need for sustainable frameworks, improved governance, and increased public awareness to ensure these stations' success.
A UCSB biologist and colleagues used satellite data on fishing to help protect ocean biodiversity. They analyzed billions of vessel data points to assess the effectiveness of new marine parks in stopping illegal fishing. The researchers also created a global map of human use of high seas, paving the way for more effective management of...