Articles tagged with Marine Ecosystems
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.
Scientists have mapped the unexplored offshore Northern San Andreas Fault, revealing deep rifts and high walls with areas supporting animal life. The study aims to understand past earthquakes and their impact on biological diversity.
Research reveals that seamounts have comparable levels of diversity and endemism to continental margins, but their ecological communities are distinct in structure and higher in biomass. Seamount ecosystems are highly vulnerable to disturbance by bottom trawling and require decades for recovery.
A new study estimated human activities' impact on the North East Atlantic deep seafloor, finding bottom trawling has a greater physical footprint than other major activities. The research highlights the need for better data collection and management to protect seafloor ecosystems.
Leading international scientists propose a new approach to marine tenure to reverse the 'tragedy of the commons' and restore fish stocks. A successful experiment in Chile shows that co-operative models for fishery management can improve sustainability.
NSU researchers are conducting four projects studying the oil spill's effects on marine life and ecosystems. They aim to better understand potential and actual impacts to economically and biologically valuable marine ecosystems.
Researchers have created the world's first frozen repository for Hawaiian coral, banking cells to preserve species diversity and potentially restore populations. The frozen material can be thawed decades or even centuries later to revive coral reefs threatened by climate change, pollution, and human impact.
Research suggests that high CO2 levels can lead to reduced growth, shell hardness, and increased mortality in juvenile oysters. The study's findings highlight the vulnerability of oysters to ocean acidification, which may have cascading effects on marine ecosystems.
Scientists are studying the effects of the Gulf oil spill on the Florida Everglades ecosystem, measuring hydrocarbon concentrations and food web structure at impacted sites. Research will help design future oil spill clean-up efforts and assess the impact on marine animal and plant distributions.
A new study reveals a global decline of marine phytoplankton over the past century, with declines of about 1% per year. The decline is strongly correlated with rising sea surface temperatures and changing ocean conditions.
NOAA has selected Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego, to lead a new research partnership, CIMEC, to study climate change and coastal ecosystems. The institute will focus on ecosystem-based management of fisheries and continue the longstanding work of JIMO in climate and ocean sciences.
Researchers propose that human hunters triggered the loss of large mammals, including woolly mammoths and saber-toothed cats, by providing new competition with major predators. The study suggests that humans were not the primary cause of extinction but rather the initial trigger for a trophic cascade.
A new study suggests that the extinction of woolly mammoths and other large mammals may have been triggered by the addition of a predator: humans. The researchers argue that human hunters provided new competition for major predators, leading to a trophic cascade that ultimately caused the decline of herbivores and carnivores alike.
Researchers discover rapid expansion of salmon farms in Chile's protected National Park, posing a significant threat to native sea lions and the entire ecosystem. The farms' waste, medication, and noise pollution are causing devastating impacts on the region's biodiversity.
Underwater gliders are being tested for tracking tagged fish in Alaska, providing a new method for scientists. The technology allows researchers to follow the movements of tagged fish over long distances and gather oceanographic information simultaneously.
A comprehensive synthesis on climate change's effects on global ocean functions has revealed dramatic changes at an unprecedented rate. The report highlights the urgent need for world leaders to limit greenhouse gas growth and reduce the risk of ecological disasters.
The Joint Institute for the Study of the Atmosphere and Ocean at the University of Washington will focus on 10 critical areas, including climate change, ocean acidification, and marine ecosystems. The institute aims to expand its research efforts with a potential $100 million award over five years.
Researchers studying two isolated Pacific atolls find diverse marine life populations in response to different fishing pressures. At Palmyra, a protected US wildlife refuge, high densities of sharks and large fish are found, while Tabuaeran, inhabited by 2,500 people, hosts lower fish populations due to artisanal fishing.
Scientists from over 60 countries present research on the impact of human activities on land-based plants and animals in Antarctica. The study found that changes in ocean currents are linked to wind patterns around Antarctica, affecting the ecosystem.
A new study from the University of Gothenburg reveals that climate change could lead to a decrease in river runoff and an increase in salinity in the Baltic Sea. This change could have significant consequences for the region's sensitive ecosystem, which relies on a delicate balance between salt and fresh water.
Scientists propose a new approach to selective fishing that prioritizes ecosystem health and biodiversity, challenging traditional methods. The 'balanced exploitation' approach combines reduced fishing effort with better use of non-target species to achieve sustainable yields while maintaining healthy ecosystems.
The project will investigate the lower reach of the river and its offshore plume, measuring elements such as carbon, nutrients, and microorganisms. The goal is to develop a carbon cycle model that links the upriver microbial system with the offshore plume.
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.
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 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.