Articles tagged with Marine Ecosystems
Scientists have discovered a massive Southern Ocean current with a volume equivalent to 40 Amazon Rivers near the Kerguelen Plateau. The current carries dense, oxygen-rich water that sinks near Antarctica to the deep ocean basins further north.
Researchers at Kiel University discovered fossil whale bones with 0.5mm circular boreholes matching those of living Osedax worms, dating to 30 million years ago. The findings confirm that boneworms are at least 30 million years old and were feeding on whale bones during this period.
Scientists warn of ocean acidification, a threat to marine ecosystems and biodiversity. The 'evil twin' of global warming is causing the oceans to become increasingly acidic, potentially leading to mass extinctions.
Marine Roseobacter clade decline linked to ocean acidification may impact global climate system and socio-economic consequences. Ocean acidification could significantly affect fish stocks and coral reef erosion.
The Pew Environment Group announced five individuals receiving the 2010 Pew Fellowship in Marine Conservation to address pressing challenges in ocean conservation. The Fellows will focus on projects such as reducing seabird bycatch, protecting coral reefs, and enhancing shellfish management.
A study on fossil corals found that reef ecosystems persisted through massive environmental changes, including sharply falling sea levels. The research suggests that coral reefs can survive adverse conditions given suitable shallow rocky habitat, and complex ecosystems were maintained during less optimal periods.
The study aims to understand how changing climate affects phytoplankton growth and organic carbon distributions. Researchers will collect data on sea surface temperatures, salinities and chlorophyll levels to refine biogeochemistry models.
A special issue of PNAS explores the latest science on marine reserves, revealing that well-designed reserves can benefit both fish and fishermen. Studies show that reserves can play a major role in reducing cumulative impacts on marine ecosystems in areas like the South China Sea and Coral Triangle.
The old balkanized approach to ocean management has failed to protect ocean ecosystems; marine spatial planning provides a comprehensive map of human uses and natural resources. Effective ocean management requires considering all ecosystem elements, and the AAAS symposium will showcase innovative techniques for mapping spatial impacts.
The Atlas of Coastal Ecosystems in the Western Gulf of California tracks limestone deposits and their impact on the carbon cycle. The book features high-quality satellite images and field photos, providing valuable insights for earth and marine scientists studying coastal areas.
Researchers discovered diverse corals harboring unusual, thermally tolerant algae species in the Andaman Sea. These findings suggest some coral reefs may persist despite future global warming.
A recent study published in Molecular Ecology suggests that Antarctic minke whale populations have not increased due to commercial whaling. The research estimates the long-term population size of Antarctic minke whales to be around 670,000 individuals, similar to current estimates from sighting surveys.
The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution will receive a $8.1 million grant to construct the Laboratory for Ocean Sensors and Observing Systems, enabling fabrication and maintenance of new ocean observing systems. The facility will support various ongoing projects, including the Ocean Observatories Initiative.
A recent scientific conference highlighted the effects of unseasonal summer storms on UK marine life, including a surge in deadly jellyfish and rare seabird sightings. The event brought together representatives from various sectors to discuss conservation measures and environmental change.
The MARES project aims to develop comprehensive ecosystem models and reach consensus on feasible management goals for the South Florida coastal ecosystem. Human dimensions science will be incorporated to study societal processes and their impact on ecosystem sustainability.
The discovery of massive methane pits in the Hudson Canyon has significant implications for the region's marine ecosystem. The pits, found by Rutgers University and NOAA researchers using a robotic underwater vehicle, are believed to be related to the dissolution of gas hydrates and could support a diverse range of fish species.
The report highlights concerns such as ocean warming, acidification, changes in current strengths, productivity, and species distribution. It offers adaptation responses to inform policymakers, scientists, and the community.
A team of researchers from nine institutions, including LSU, will drill through the West Antarctic Ice Sheet to directly access a subglacial lake and study its physical, chemical, and geobiological interactions. The project aims to investigate novel microbial species and ecosystems in this extreme environment.
A marine sponge species recycles carbon from dissolved organic material, sustaining the diverse ecosystems of coral reefs. This process involves rapid cell turnover and shedding, allowing other reef residents to consume the recycled cells, thereby supporting the reef's complex food web.
The study found that terrestrial ecosystems and oceans have a much greater capacity to absorb CO2 than previously thought, with the airborne fraction of CO2 remaining stable at 0.7% per decade since 1850. This challenges recent research suggesting a decrease in absorption capacity as CO2 emissions rise.
Researchers warn that climate variability can affect deep-sea ecosystems, potentially disrupting food chains and carbon cycles. Long-term monitoring is crucial to understand the impact of global warming on these vulnerable ecosystems.
Climate change impacts deep-sea ecosystems by altering food supply and community dynamics. Changes in ocean processes, such as wind-driven upwelling and nutrient delivery, can lead to dramatic year-to-year variations in organic material reaching the seafloor, affecting fish populations like grenadiers.
China has seen improvements in forest growth and marine ecosystem health, but severe pollution and biodiversity loss still threaten the country's environment. Despite major government efforts, China faces significant challenges in protecting its rich biodiversity.
Researchers studied Vibrio coralliilyticus's metabolic activity using NMR, finding temperature-dependent changes that contribute to coral bleaching. The team aims to better understand the symbiotic relationships between coral and its zooxanthellae algae.
A team of UBC researchers has mapped the genome of a microbe that thrives in dead zones, offering new insight into its metabolic capabilities and potential impact on climate change. The discovery provides an experimental framework for studying dead zone ecology and may help monitor and mitigate their expansion.
The world is expected to miss its target to stem biodiversity loss by 2010, with freshwater ecosystems collapsing due to massive mismanagement and growing human needs for water. This has led to an immense crisis in freshwater biodiversity, with species extinction rates four to six times higher than their terrestrial and marine cousins.
A UBC-led study finds that climate change will lead to major shifts in ocean fisheries productivity, affecting global food supply. Tropical regions are expected to see significant declines in catch potential, with Indonesia, US, Chile, and China among the hardest hit.
A new study finds that the decline of apex predators has led to a significant increase in mesopredator populations, resulting in ecosystem collapse and economic losses. The study highlights the complex interactions between humans and wildlife, emphasizing the need for careful consideration of solutions to manage these issues.
Researchers at the University of Gothenburg have discovered nine new bristleworm species that feed on dead whales, highlighting a previously unknown food source in marine ecosystems. The study reveals these specialized organisms play a significant role in nutrient cycling and ecosystem balance.
Researchers found that similar symptoms occur in many systems as they approach a critical state of transition, indicating 'tipping points' for abrupt changes. These early-warning signals are observed in ecosystems, financial markets, and human physiology, highlighting the potential for catastrophic bifurcations.
A Princeton-led team of scientists has found that denitrification is the dominant process in returning nitrogen to the air in low-oxygen ocean environments. The team's research confirms the importance of conventional denitrification and suggests that the current mainstream view on the nitrogen cycle may be based on a false impression.
Scientists from Stanford University and their international colleagues use cutting-edge technology to monitor the Gulf of Aqaba's surface currents, shedding light on its complex dynamics. The research helps environmental agencies respond to spills and minimize pollution, while also informing large-scale water projects.
A 14-year study found that young lemon sharks born at the Bimini islands in the Bahamas tend to stay near their coastal birthplace for many years. This knowledge could be crucial for conservation efforts, as it suggests that local management measures can protect these intermediate-aged sharks from overfishing and habitat destruction.
Researchers from seven nations installed a new deep-sea observatory in the Norwegian Arctic to study mud volcano eruptions and their effects on the environment. The observatory will provide insights into the dynamics of gas eruptions and their consequences for biological communities on the seafloor.
The NOAA Integrated Ocean Observing System has awarded grants to support ocean observing activities from Long Island Sound to the Canadian Maritimes. The funds also support projects to improve ocean and coastal data, fisheries management, and ecosystem conservation.
The Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary has been found to have one of the healthiest coral reef ecosystems in the tropical Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico. The sanctuary is dominated by top-level predators such as large grouper, jacks, and snappers that are rare in other areas.
The NOAA Integrated Ocean Observing System has awarded grants to the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute to conduct long-term monitoring of environmental conditions in Central and Northern California. This funding will support protecting marine life and habitat, as well as provide easier access to regional real-time data.
A two-year study by an international team of scientists found that steps taken to curb overfishing are beginning to succeed in five of the 10 large marine ecosystems examined. This has led to improved fish abundance and reduced exploitation rates, providing new hope for rebuilding troubled fisheries.
A two-year study by scientists reveals that steps taken to curb overfishing are beginning to succeed in five of the 10 large marine ecosystems. Management solutions such as catch quotas, community management, and fishing closures offer promise for restoring fisheries and ecosystems.
A new analysis suggests that global fisheries are showing positive signs of recovery, with five out of ten large marine ecosystems studying well. However, 68% of worldwide fisheries still require rebuilding and more stringent regulations are needed to reverse the collapse of vulnerable species.
A two-year study by international researchers shows that steps taken to curb overfishing are beginning to succeed in five large marine ecosystems, providing new hope for rebuilding troubled fisheries. However, significant work remains to be done, with sixty-three percent of fish stocks still needing to be rebuilt.
Researchers at the University of Liverpool have discovered that the Amazon river and its transcontinental drainage are approximately 11 million years old. This finding has significant implications for understanding South American paleogeography and the evolution of aquatic organisms in Amazonia and on the Atlantic coast.
A new scientific discussion paper highlights the profound impact of human activity on the world's oceans, with carbon emissions affecting marine biological processes and threatening food security. The study warns that rates of physical change in the oceans are unprecedented and may lead to major shifts in marine ecosystems.
A UBC study proposes reducing fishing catch by just five percent to safeguard large areas of British Columbia's coastline. This approach, if implemented, could result in significant conservation gains and help achieve established conservation goals.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) awarded grants totaling over $55.5 million to four universities to construct new scientific research facilities. These facilities will support academic research across various topics, including fundamental physics research, nanotechnology, aquaculture, and marine ecology.
Scientists have successfully detected a harmful algal species and its toxin below the ocean's surface using a robotic instrument called the Environmental Sample Processor. This achievement represents a major breakthrough in monitoring harmful algal blooms (HABs) and their effects on coastal ecosystems and human health.
Researchers have successfully measured marine phytoplankton physiology through satellite measurements of fluorescence, providing a reasonably accurate picture of the ocean's health and productivity. This will help evaluate the impact of global warming, climate change, and desertification on oceans.
A Yale analysis of 240 studies found that forest ecosystems recover in 42 years, ocean bottoms in less than 10 years, and those affected by human-induced disturbances recover faster than natural events. The study suggests that restoration can become a key tool for conservation organizations to protect habitats.
Historians from Census of Marine Life reconstructed ocean life in olden days, revealing past sea life was teeming with over 27,000 southern right whales around New Zealand. The findings are causing authorities to revisit marine baselines and provide a new context for contemporary ocean management.
The NOAA report offers a comprehensive look at the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands' marine life, revealing relatively pristine ecosystems with dominant top predators. This knowledge will aid in managing resources and researching natural coral reef ecosystems.
Climate change, fishing, and commercial shipping are major threats to the ocean off the US West Coast, with every spot affected by 10-15 human activities annually. A new study provides critical information for evaluating where certain activities can continue with little effect on the oceans.
A team of scientists has proposed six 'rules of thumb' to help save the world's imperiled coral reefs. The key to saving threatened coral ecosystems is maintaining links between reefs, allowing larvae to flow between them and re-stock depleted areas.
Researchers found that 80% of tested sea otters in Washington State had morbillivirus and 60% had Toxoplasma, with implications for the ecosystem's balance. The study highlights the need to monitor the health of the state's otter population, as they are 'sentinels' for environmental problems.
Scientists discovered an ancient ecosystem trapped beneath Taylor Glacier in Antarctica, which survived without light or oxygen by transforming sulfur and iron compounds for growth. This unique ecosystem has the potential to explain how life might exist on other planets and serve as a model for life under ice.
Researchers at University of Gothenburg discover Fucus radicans, a new seaweed species formed less than 2,500 years ago. The study highlights the rapid formation of new species in the young and species-poor Baltic Sea ecosystem.
Establishing a public trust doctrine for federal waters could provide a practical legal framework for regulating ocean-based commerce while protecting marine species and habitats. The doctrine would obliges governments to manage natural resources in the best interests of citizens, without sacrificing future generations' needs.
A UBC study has shown that different species of three-spine stickleback fish can significantly impact their aquatic ecosystems within 11 weeks. The researchers created mini-ecosystems in tanks with varying species and found substantial differences in dissolved organic carbon levels, affecting plant growth and sunlight penetration.
Researchers use Ocean Acoustic Waveguide Remote Sensing (OAWRS) to observe mass migrations of hundreds of millions of fish, revealing critical population density triggers synchronized movement. This breakthrough confirms theories about large groups of animals and provides valuable information for conservation of marine ecosystems.
Snail shells have increased in size by 22.6% over the past century, impacting the marine ecosystem, as warmer waters and reduced predatory fish allow snails to grow larger. The study suggests that these changes could affect the entire intertidal food chain.
A study by Tobias Porsbring found that clotrimazole and cocktail effects can harm microalgae growth and reproduction, affecting the ocean ecosystem. The use of multiple chemicals in wastewater contributes to a 'cocktail effect' more harmful than individual chemicals.