Articles tagged with Marine Ecosystems
Researchers at the University of Southampton have discovered a direct link between fault activity and water entering the Earth's mantle. The study found that the amount of serpentinite formed at the bottom of each fault is directly proportional to the displacement on that fault.
A Northeastern University research team has mapped a mass feeding frenzy involving eight highly protected species of whales and dolphins in the U.S. Gulf of Maine region. The study uses innovative underwater acoustic sensing methods to understand predator-prey interactions and their implications for conserving marine ecosystems.
Research found that wastewater treatment plants are a significant source of microplastics in rivers, with particles traveling up to 2 kilometers downstream. The microplastics were home to potentially harmful bacterial communities, highlighting the need for improved filters and treatment processes.
New research reveals that Gulf of Mexico historic shipwrecks are significantly altered by oil spills, affecting microbial communities and ecosystems. The study also explores the potential for shipwrecks to monitor deep-ocean ecosystem health.
Scientists have discovered a distinct low-frequency hum associated with the daily migrations of deep-sea fish and squid. The sound could help scientists better understand this mysterious ecosystem and potentially inform our understanding of climate change's impact on ocean food webs.
This comprehensive genome analysis of Zostera marina provides unique insights into the genomic losses and gains involved in adapting to full marine conditions. Seagrasses have regained functions enabling them to adjust to salinity, a key innovation for these plants.
A study published in Nature Communications reveals that coral reef islands and atolls create 'biological hotspots' in the Pacific Ocean due to increased phytoplankton biomass, supporting enhanced food-webs and local fisheries. The Island Mass Effect drives ecosystem productivity and has significant implications for resource management.
A recent study reveals that ocean plankton networks play a crucial role in removing carbon from the atmosphere and depositing it deep in the ocean. The research, led by Matthew Sullivan of Ohio State University, used advanced genetic sequencing to identify clusters of organisms most linked to carbon deposition.
Research from the University of Southampton found that man-made sounds can alter the behavior of seabed creatures, impacting nutrient recycling and carbon storage. Exposure to certain sounds can cause species to reduce irrigation and sediment turnover, leading to reduced oxygen levels and potentially affecting seabed productivity.
Scientists have discovered four new species of deep-water algae from Hawaii, which are similar in appearance to limu palahalaha and hold great cultural significance for Native Hawaiians. The newly discovered species were collected between 200-400 feet deep and are believed to redefine our understanding of algal distributions in Hawaii.
Seagrasses are unique flowering plants adapted to marine life, providing insights into climate warming and carbon burial. The Zostera marina genome reveals key adaptations, including rearranged metabolic pathways and different signalling mechanisms.
Researchers sequenced a seagrass genome, revealing genes that enable plants to adapt to saline environments. The study provides insights into salt tolerance and could inform crop breeding to improve resilience in the face of climate change.
Researchers analyzed over 5,600 estimates of ocean microbial cell and virus populations, finding dramatic variations from location to location and depth. The study highlights the need for more accurate representations of viral populations in climate models and biogeochemical measures.
Researchers developed soft robotic grippers that can collect delicate underwater specimens without destroying them. These grippers are designed for use in deep-sea exploration and could enhance biodiversity research by allowing scientists to sample largely unexplored habitats.
A team of researchers has discovered living fossils, rare corals, and diverse ecosystems in the deep waters of the Coral Sea. The expedition found golden corals, precious red coral, glass sponges, and ancient species like the chambered nautilus.
A new analysis suggests that placing plastic collectors near coasts is more beneficial for removing microplastics and preventing harm to wildlife and ecosystems. The study found that this approach could remove up to 31% of microplastics, compared to just 17% if all collectors were deployed within the Great Pacific garbage patch.
A new study by NOAA researchers predicts that ocean temperatures in the Northeast U.S. may warm twice as fast and three times faster than previously estimated. This accelerated warming is driven by a higher resolution climate model that better reflects regional ocean circulation patterns.
Snapping shrimp sound patterns show seasonal variations, with more snaps per minute during summer and fewer during winter. The research highlights the importance of long-term acoustic sampling in understanding marine soundscape ecology.
A recent West Coast study emphasizes the impacts of ocean acidification and low-oxygen conditions on marine organisms, highlighting serious challenges for life in these areas. The results show that multiple stressors will only increase as ocean conditions worldwide resemble those off the West Coast.
The ORCAS field campaign aims to understand the role of the Southern Ocean in absorbing excess carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere. By tracking oxygen and carbon dioxide levels, scientists will gain insights into the ocean's ability to act as a carbon sink.
New research from Florida Institute of Technology scientists suggests that moderate levels of turbidity can lower stress on corals by shading them from high light. This could be a refuge for coral species in a warmer climate.
A Yale-led study suggests that species rarity may be a key indicator of mass extinctions, which could provide an early warning system for the current biotic crisis. The researchers propose that monitoring changes in species and ecosystems can help scientists pinpoint mass extinctions before they become catastrophic.
A new University of Florida study suggests that coral reefs may be more vulnerable to nutrient pollution from human activities, even with the presence of herbivores. The research highlights the need for a holistic approach to protecting these ecosystems.
Researchers will investigate oil's impact on the Gulf of Mexico ecosystem and public health over three years. The funding is part of a larger $38 million GoMRI program supporting research on environmental issues.
A study led by Johns Hopkins University scientist suggests that rapid growth in tiny plankton's population is a sign of swift environmental change due to increased carbon dioxide in the ocean. The research highlights the possibility of rapid ecosystem change, potentially exceeding previously predicted models.
Research divers have found that sedimentation is impacting an entire ecosystem on the seafloor due to melting glaciers. This has led to a decline in species diversity among benthos, with some species being extremely sensitive to higher sedimentation rates and subsequently dying out.
A 359 million-year-old mass extinction event triggered a drastic transformation in Earth's vertebrate community, with smaller fish dominating the oceans for at least 40 million years. The findings suggest that small, fast-reproducing fish possessed an evolutionary advantage over larger animals in the disturbed environment.
A team of researchers is using 'passive acoustic monitoring' to document the use of the Bering Strait by species previously excluded by sea ice. They are eavesdropping on marine mammals within the Arctic to monitor their presence year-round and study the impacts of climate change on the ecosystem.
International workshop highlights need for better forecasting of long-term trends in harmful algal blooms, which threaten wildlife and economies. Research priorities focus on understanding phytoplankton community structure and developing ecological models to prepare for future scenarios.
A new study suggests that geoduck farming in central Puget Sound could have significant impacts on the food web if farming activities increase by 120 percent. The equipment used to farm geoducks, including PVC pipes and nets, may have a greater impact than the addition of the clams themselves.
Scientists and legal scholars warn that countries are misinterpreting the 'rational use' of natural resources to escalate fishing efforts in Antarctic waters. Marine protected areas, crucial for conserving the region's last intact ecosystem, are being hindered by this misinterpretation.
A recent global analysis predicts a decline in marine species diversity and abundance as ocean acidification and warming are expected to have devastating effects on fisheries and ecosystems worldwide. Microorganisms are the only group likely to thrive, while carnivorous fish face a collapse from top of food chain.
Researchers will conduct research to support long-term sustainability of the Gulf of Mexico ecosystem, with a focus on observation networks and ecosystem modeling. The projects aim to enhance effective and sustainable ecosystem management.
Scientists have discovered a previously unknown process where warm Gulf Stream water and colder waters of the continental shelf exchange, influencing shelf circulation, biogeochemistry, and fisheries. The discovery provides new insights into the complex interactions between these two water masses.
Researchers found no barriers to prevent king crab populations from arriving on the shallow continental shelf if the water becomes warm enough. The arrival of these crustaceans could radically alter the ecosystem and diminish marine biodiversity globally.
Researchers discovered a world of biological activity beneath the Arctic's polar night, with diverse species reproducing and thriving in the darkness. The findings raise questions about how marine species adapt to the changing climate and highlight the importance of this period for ecosystem reproduction.
The National Science Foundation is funding research on the diversity of life on Earth, with a focus on understanding how biodiversity shapes ecosystems. This includes studying moss-microbe interactions, lichens in global diversity hotspots, and microbial communities in marine oxygen-deficient zones.
Researchers reconstruct environmental conditions in the Southern Ocean over the past 30,000 years, showing that seasonal sea-ice zones had significant influences on ecosystems and carbon cycling. The study reveals that nutrient-rich waters allowed phytoplankton to store CO2, contributing to global cooling during ice ages.
Methane emissions from Arctic tundra increase when sea ice melts due to altered ocean temperatures and microbial activity. The loss of sea ice has a significant impact on the Arctic climate, leading to higher temperatures and increased methane production.
A recently discovered deep-sea methane seep off the San Diego coast has revealed a unique ecosystem with diverse habitat types and adapted creatures. The site, which produces methane as it sinks to the ocean floor, supports a community of organisms that consume and convert the gas.
Scientists explore reviving extinct Mediterranean forests through minimal human disturbance and restoration of native vegetation. They also investigate the impact of ocean noise pollution on undersea animals and propose internationally binding commitments to monitor and limit noise.
A new study reveals that the ratio of predator-to-prey biomass decreases as prey biomass increases in diverse ecosystems, including grasslands, forests, lakes, and oceans. The study analyzed tens of thousands of populations across 2,260 ecosystems globally, finding a consistent pattern of biomass scaling.
Researchers found a consistent pattern that in crowded settings, prey reproduce less, leading to fewer predators. This discovery suggests a new law of nature governing ecosystems globally.
Researchers found that relative amounts of predator and prey biomass are predicted by a simple mathematical function called a power scaling law. This means that even in diverse ecosystems, from oceans to savannas, there are always fewer top predators than expected in resource-rich environments.
A new European Marine Board paper highlights the need for major progress in deep-sea research to underpin future management and exploitation of living and non-living deep-sea resources. The report identifies deficiencies in basic knowledge of deep-sea systems, which could hinder ecosystem-based management and limit sustainability.
Researchers found longer, less frequent climate fluctuations contribute to abrupt and unexplained ecosystem shifts in the North Pacific. The study suggests changing climate variability contributed to 1977 and 1989 regime changes with more likely larger climate-triggered shifts.
Coral reef scientists warn that even with a successful Paris climate conference, ocean warming and acidification will continue beyond the end of this century, potentially leading to the extinction of coral reefs. Experts call for more aggressive emissions reduction plans to stabilize CO2 at 350ppm or lower to give reefs a chance.
Researchers used natural CO2 underwater seeps to study ecosystems in high-CO2 levels and adjacent ecosystems with present-day levels of CO2. The study found that acidification affects fish behavior, but some species thrive in acidified waters, while others decline or shift habitats.
A volcanic island's unique location allows scientists to study ocean acidification effects on a small scale. Elevated CO2 levels trigger a dramatic ecosystem change from vibrant coral to algae-covered rocks.
A University of Texas at Arlington study reveals that sea stars have an immune response characterized by various types of immunities, including the first melanin gene ever recorded in a sea star. The team also found changes in genes related to collagen and nervous system function, which may contribute to the disease's effects.
A new study examines predator-prey interactions between tiger sharks and sea turtles using satellite tagging data. The research found that while sharks exhibit modified surfacing behavior to enhance predation opportunity, turtles do not alter their behaviors to reduce shark attacks when home ranges overlap.
The International Seabed Authority is poised to set the groundwork for future deep-sea environmental protection and mining regulations. Researchers recommend establishing networks of Marine Protected Areas to balance economic interests with conservation benefits, potentially benefiting both mining and biodiversity interests.
A global study found that seabird populations have dropped by 69.6% since the 1950s, equivalent to a loss of about 230 million birds in 60 years. This decline is largely attributed to human activities such as overfishing, pollution, and climate change.
Research from the University of Washington finds that seafloor hot springs provide a significant source of iron to the world's oceans. The dissolved metals are carried by deep-sea currents for decades, supporting phytoplankton growth and impacting global ocean chemistry.
A new study warns that global warming could force fish to migrate 65% faster, impacting biodiversity and ecosystem functions. The research highlights the need for reducing emissions to mitigate these effects and protect marine ecosystems.
The global seafood supply will be substantially altered by climate change, overfishing, and ocean acidification, leading to a decline in fisheries and marine biodiversity. Researchers recommend improving ocean governance and limiting carbon dioxide emissions to mitigate these effects.
Researchers at University of Colorado Boulder discovered that halogen reactions from ocean air can turn mercury into a water-soluble form that stays high in the atmosphere for long periods. This process may help explain why mercury deposition is so widespread and persistent in some regions.
A recent study examines the resurgence of major predators on the US West Coast and in Yellowstone, revealing rising conflicts with humans and other species. The researchers suggest multi-species approaches to address these tensions and develop more effective management strategies.
A mass mortality event affected millions of purple sea urchins and tiny sea stars along a 62-mile stretch of Northern California coast. The study suggests that long-term population and ecosystem consequences are expected as these species play key roles in maintaining tide pool balance.
Researchers found an invasive micro-alga, Symbiodinium trenchii, improves coral resilience to heat stress but reduces calcification rates and diminishes coral's ability to build reefs. The introduction of this species poses concerns for ecosystem stability and function.