Articles tagged with Marine Ecosystems
A peer-reviewed study estimates the total economic value of Hawaii's coral reefs at $33.57 billion annually, demonstrating the ecosystem's significance to US residents regardless of location or usage
The NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science's Center for Sponsored Coastal Ocean Research is initiating a 5-year project focused on the role that Pulley Ridge reefs play in replenishing key fish species and other organisms in downstream reefs. This research aims to develop more effective strategies to protect these ecosystems.
The project, SCALER, aims to apply small-scale ecological experiments to understand the behavior of entire ecosystems and predict characteristics of stream networks. Researchers will conduct field work in Puerto Rico and use modeling to scale measurements up to regional and continental levels.
Researchers will investigate the Hanna Shoal ecosystem in the Chukchi Sea to understand its high productivity and potential impact from climate change. The study aims to inform offshore oil drilling operations and protect the Arctic ecosystem, with data integration for future environmental assessments.
A study reconstructing 700 years of human-environment interactions in Hawaiian coral reefs found that historical changes in human societies led to degradation or recovery. While some reefs declined due to overexploitation and land-based pollution, others recovered through cultural protection and conservation efforts.
The number of sea turtles accidentally caught and killed in US fishing gear has declined by 90% since 1990, according to a new study. This drop is attributed to measures reducing bycatch in many fisheries and overall declines in US fishing activity, which have led to fewer turtle deaths annually, from over 300,000 to around 460.
The University of Miami is leading a consortium to investigate the fate of petroleum in the environment, aiming to improve risk management and response efforts. The project, CARTHE, will focus on accurately predicting hydrocarbon transport and development of new tools for responding to future spills.
A new study has found that soft corals, once believed to be minor contributors to coral reef structure, are actually a crucial component of the ecosystem. Soft coral skeletal elements called sclerites were discovered to make up massive parts of reefs in the South China Sea.
Researchers found that coccolithophores form thinner calcite skeletons in acidic ocean water, with significant implications for marine ecosystems and the global carbon cycle. However, some coastal areas exhibit highly calcified species, suggesting potential adaptations to environmental changes.
The study assesses the impact of ocean acidification on mollusk harvests worldwide, particularly in poor and developing nations. Nations with high dependence on shellfish and lack of aquaculture are most vulnerable, with Senegal, Madagascar, Gambia, Mozambique, and Haiti expected to be heavily impacted.
The Census of Marine Life project has identified human activities affecting deep-sea habitats, including waste dumping, resource exploitation, and climate change. The study predicts that these impacts will lead to biodiversity loss and ecosystem disruption in the short and mid-term.
The Scientific Steering Committee of the Census of Marine Life was awarded the 2011 International Cosmos Prize for its groundbreaking research on marine biodiversity, distribution, and abundance. The prize recognized the Committee's comprehensive approach to understanding relationships among living organisms and their global environment.
A Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution scientist has discovered that the DNA of viruses and their algal hosts can be preserved in sediments for thousands of years. This finding provides unprecedented insights into long-term viral/host population dynamics, which may have shaped past algal community structures.
The decline of apex consumers has triggered trophic cascades, affecting ecosystem dynamics and leading to changes in vegetation, wildfire frequency, and disease outbreaks. Restoration efforts focus on reestablishing large animals, requiring large-scale approaches to conserve functional ecosystems.
The decline of apex predators has severe impacts on ecosystems, causing trophic cascades that affect habitat loss, pollution, wildfire, climate change, invasive species, and disease spread. This loss is driving the sixth mass extinction event, threatening human health and well-being.
The decline of apex consumers has triggered trophic cascades, leading to changes in vegetation, wildfire frequency, infectious diseases, invasive species, water quality, and nutrient cycles. This review highlights the widespread impact of large predator loss on ecosystems and conservation efforts.
The decline of large predators and herbivores worldwide is causing substantial changes to ecosystems, leading to increased disease transmission and invasive species. This 'trophic downgrading' also affects soil, water, vegetation, and the atmosphere.
Research off the Crozet Islands found that natural iron fertilisation boosts organic matter supply to the seafloor, supporting a larger abundance of deep-sea animals. This contrasts with areas limited by iron availability, resulting in distinct differences in species composition and community structure.
Researchers sequenced 40 new specimens of thaliaceans, a type of free-swimming tunicate, to gain insights into their evolutionary relationships. The study found close ties between thaliaceans and sea squirts, revealing a common ancestor for these groups.
A recent study found that modern fish communities in coastal Kenya have significantly different life histories compared to ancient Swahili refuse heaps. This shift is attributed to overfishing, which has reduced larger species and increased smaller species with shorter life spans.
The Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation awarded a $30,000 grant to the University of Miami's RJD Marine Conservation Program to investigate shark conservation in Florida waters. The research aims to understand the impact of top predators on the ecosystem and develop strategies for sustainable fisheries management.
A two-year study by Dalhousie University researchers reveals the California Current is a crucial habitat for marine predators like tunas, sharks, and sea turtles. The study found that these species migrate predictably to the region when it warms and cools.
A new study reveals that ocean low-oxygen zones are expanding and contracting in response to climate changes, posing a significant threat to marine ecosystems. The research, led by UCLA scientists, found that these oxygen-depleted regions can have devastating effects on marine populations.
New research reveals ocean acidification will reduce coral reef ecosystem diversity, leading to severe impacts on coral reefs globally. The study shows reduced biodiversity, recruitment, and development of reef ecosystems under acidic conditions.
Researchers argue that increased discussion is needed to monitor the ecological effects of human activities on deep-sea ecosystems. Advances in underwater monitoring equipment enable real-time data sharing, facilitating sustainable resource use and early warning systems.
A new method for measuring biomass reveals that fish stocks are more stable than widely believed, with only 12% collapsed and 26% overexploited. The study suggests that biomass data can ground truth catch trends, revealing biases in catch data estimates.
In a 26-year study, marine invertebrates in Port Valdez have stabilized to resemble an undisturbed glacial fjord. This recovery was facilitated by the dominant species Capitellidae, known for their opportunistic nature.
A team of Brown University researchers recommends involving stakeholders, setting objectives early, and creating institutional structures to manage US oceans effectively. They found success stories in California's Morro Bay and Washington state's Northwest Straits.
A new study finds that human responses to a changing environment determine environmental tipping points in ecosystems. Regulatory choices can influence behavior and alter ecosystem outcomes. Strong institutional support is crucial for effective management.
New research reveals that climate change impacts penguins more severely due to declining krill supplies. Two penguin species are particularly vulnerable, with krill populations shrinking by up to 80% since the 1970s.
Highly diverse reef fish systems are the most vulnerable to human threats, yet they produce a greater range of goods and services. The study found that these ecosystems do not saturate with additional species, and their biomass production is negatively impacted by increasing human density.
Research by the University of California - San Diego team discovered that icebergs cool and dilute ocean water, affecting phytoplankton distribution and carbon dioxide absorption. The findings suggest enhanced phytoplankton growth would increase carbon dioxide removal from the ocean.
Researchers discovered that Antarctic icebergs raise chlorophyll levels, increasing carbon dioxide absorption in the Southern Ocean. The findings indicate a new dimension to previous research on icebergs' role in polar ecosystems and global carbon cycling.
Researchers from the Wildlife Conservation Society have developed a 'stress test' for coral reefs to prioritize areas most likely to survive climate change factors. The model considers environmental stressors like rising sea temperatures and their impact on coral and fish diversity.
Researchers have sequenced the genome of Aureococcus anophagefferens, a brown tide species that outcompetes other phytoplankton in coastal ecosystems. The genome reveals genes that enable the microalga to thrive in low-light conditions and exploit alternative nutrients.
Two Brown University scientists, Heather Leslie and Leila Sievanen, will discuss the importance of marine spatial planning, ecosystem-based management, and social science inclusion in managing the nation's oceans. Leslie will focus on understanding ocean ecosystems' resilience to variability and climate change, while Sievanen will high...
The study found that Lake Baikal's seasonality of surface water temperatures relates to the fluctuating intensity and path of the jet stream, while also tracking decadal-scale variations in the Earth's rotational velocity. This information can help forecast seasonal onset in Siberia and predict longer-term ecological changes.
A comprehensive database analysis found a strong positive relationship between surface production and organic matter export, driving predicted patterns of seafloor biomass. Seafloor biomass is highest around the poles and equator due to nutrient-rich upwelling waters, while central abyssal plains exhibit consistently low values.
Researchers are developing new tools to analyze vast amounts of data from ocean sensors, cameras, and sonar. The collaboration aims to integrate and enhance this data to make it more easily consumable by scientists and the public.
Biologists in the Gulf of Mexico are urging the need for strategic research plans to understand and restore marine ecosystems after environmental disasters. The team identified seven key elements needed for these plans, including population trends and demographic processes.
At Newcastle University, a team led by Professor Selina Stead is investigating the potential of sea cucumbers as natural cleaners on fish farms, reducing waste's impact on ocean floors. The project aims to develop organic farming methods for both sea cucumber food and eco-friendly aquaculture.
The first summary for policymakers on ocean fertilization reveals the chances of success are low, with only modest amounts of carbon dioxide removed over 100 years. The proposal involves adding iron or nutrients to stimulate growth of microscopic marine plants, which use CO2 to grow.
A recent study by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution scientists found that a major component of the dispersant used in the Deepwater Horizon oil spill remained intact in an oil-gas-laden plume three months after application. The study's results raise questions about the potential toxic effects of deep-water residue on marine life and...
The study reveals that industrial and traditional fishing activities are putting the monk seal and Atlantic hump-backed dolphin at great danger due to over-exploitation of resources. The researchers call for stricter regulation and monitoring of fishing practices to protect these species.
A study found that oysters can effectively filter ag and urban runoff in the Chesapeake Bay, removing significant amounts of nutrients. Eight large-scale oyster farms could potentially remove one ton of nitrogen from the bay annually, providing a practical ecosystem service.
Researchers from the Virginia Institute of Marine Science deployed an underwater glider in the Ross Sea near Antarctica, collecting data on water temperature, salinity, and chlorophyll concentrations. The glider's continuous sampling allows for a better understanding of short-term physical changes and their impact on ocean biology.
The world's oceans are under siege due to species loss, leading to ecosystem collapse. A new study finds that a loss of ecological redundancy, where multiple species occupy the same space, is directly blamed for marine ecosystem collapse in the fossil record.
A study finds that community-based co-management is key to sustaining aquatic resources and the livelihoods of communities depending on them. Co-management involves sharing responsibility for resources between governments and users, leading to successful and sustainable fisheries worldwide.
Invasive species can halt natural speciation processes, leading to mass extinction events. The Late Devonian ecosystem collapsed due to dominant invasive species, wiping out locally adapted species and preventing new life forms from arising.
The Malaspina 2010 expedition aims to assess the impact of global change on the ocean and explore its biodiversity. Over 250 researchers will study temperature, salinity, and nutrient concentration in various ocean regions.
A joint US-Swedish expedition will study the Amundsen Sea, one of Antarctica's least-explored bodies, to gauge climate change effects. The research aims to determine nutrient availability, phytoplankton blooms, and sea-ice coverage.
Researchers found that colder temperatures in the Bering Sea led to an increase in larger zooplankton, such as copepods and krill, which pollock prefer to eat. This shift may impact the growth and survival of younger pollock fish.
Researchers found a wide range of biological activity, including microbes degrading hydrocarbons and fixing carbon, in the deepest layer of ocean crust. The discovery has significant implications for carbon storage and fixation, and may provide a new concept for reducing carbon emissions.
A new analysis by an international team of fisheries scientists found that the widely adopted indicator, average catch trophic level, led to inaccurate conclusions in 13 out of 29 trawl surveys from 14 ecosystems. The study suggests that this measure is a woefully inadequate assessment of marine fisheries health.
Researchers found similarities between wolf-elk interactions in Yellowstone National Park and shark-dugong interactions in Shark Bay, Australia. These interactions control prey populations and affect their behavior, with ripple impacts on the ecosystem.
The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution will collaborate with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute to develop new tools for analyzing underwater imagery data sets, enhancing scientific knowledge of marine ecosystems. The project aims to address challenges in converting large datasets into actionable insights.
A new study found that iron from natural or artificial sources can stimulate rapid growth of toxin-producing algae, such as diatoms producing domoic acid, in the open ocean. This discovery adds to concerns about proposals for iron fertilization to combat global warming.
Newly published findings reveal king crabs' distribution is influenced by water temperature in the Southern Ocean. The thermal barrier limits their biogeographical distribution, and even small increases in temperature due to global warming could lead to their spread into new areas.
The proposed 2020 CBD goals aim to address biodiversity loss through specific, measurable, ambitious, realistic, and time-bound targets. However, experts argue that the targets must consider trade-offs, timing, and complexity to be successful.
The Census of Marine Life has completed a ten-year initiative to describe ocean life distribution and diversity, with UAF scientists contributing significantly. New species have been discovered in the Arctic Ocean and coastal regions, shedding light on climate change impacts.