Articles tagged with Marine Ecosystems
A major new study published in Science warns that global warming and acidification are triggering widespread coral disease and stifling coral growth. The researchers argue that drastic action is needed from world leaders to protect coral reefs, which support 100 million people and generate billions of dollars in tourism.
Coral reefs, crucial for millions of livelihoods worldwide, are at risk due to rapid climate change and ocean acidification. The International Coral Reef Targeted Research Program warns that most coral reefs will not survive the forecasted increases in global temperatures and CO2 emissions unless drastic action is taken.
A study reveals that fish farms are causing a severe decline in wild salmon populations by infecting them with sea lice, which can lead to a 99% collapse of the population within four years. This has serious implications for the entire ecosystem, as salmon play a crucial role in supporting various industries and wildlife.
A global ocean observing system is crucial to measure the health of our oceans and respond to climate change. The Partnership for Observation of the Global Oceans urges completion of a comprehensive system within 10 years.
Researchers at Kiel University and IFM-GEOMAR will investigate the effects of climate change on tropical oceans' oxygen levels, impacting marine ecosystems and carbon balance. The new SFB aims to better understand mechanisms and define a quantitative basis for these interactions.
A recent study by Arizona State University professor James Elser found that ecosystems are not as different as they seem when it comes to nutrient limitation. The study analyzed over 300 publications and found that nitrogen and phosphorus are equally important in freshwater systems, contradicting conventional wisdom.
A study by University of Chicago's Susan Kidwell reveals an inverse relationship between the extent of human impact and how well collections of dead shells reflect the current inhabitants of an ecosystem. This new tool can provide a deeper historical perspective on ecosystems, helping scientists understand the effects of human actions.
The US has forgiven $26 million in Costa Rican debt to protect the country's tropical forests, with Conservation International and The Nature Conservancy providing additional funding. This is the largest debt-for-nature swap under the Tropical Forest Conservation Act, aiming to slow global warming by protecting carbon-storing ecosystems.
Scientists at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute have discovered an established population of invasive Harris mud crabs in the Panama Canal's Miraflores Third Lock Lake. The crustaceans, native to North America, are known to cause environmental and economic harm, fouling pipes and preying on fish in gill nets.
The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) has been awarded a $97.7 million contract to support the development and installation of coastal and global components of the National Science Foundation's Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI). The partnership includes Scripps Institution of Oceanography and Oregon State University, aimin...
Australian jellyfish, Phyllorhiza punctata, have reappeared in the Gulf of Mexico, with sightings reported as far north as North Carolina. The species can outcompete commercially important fish for food and consume their larvae.
A call has been made for a Southern Hemisphere network of deep ocean moorings to monitor changes in the Southern Ocean circulation, which could influence global climate. The North Atlantic moored network provides measurements of the Gulf Stream, a significant feature in moderating European and North American climate.
Researchers have studied the secret lives of southern elephant seals, revealing their detailed feeding behavior in relation to oceanographic features. The measurements show that seal populations in different regions have distinct foraging strategies, which may explain the decline of Indian and Pacific seal numbers since the 1950s.
The report outlines practical approaches toward ecosystem-based fishery management, citing the success of Alaska and North Pacific fisheries. The Marine Conservation Alliance recommends 13 best practices to ensure sustainable fishing practices while preserving ecosystem health.
NASA is supporting cutting-edge research at the Earth's polar regions with $18 million in funding for 33 scientific investigations. These studies focus on ice flow, air pollution, sea ice impact on ocean ecosystems, and glacier thickness measurement.
Researchers reconstructed the species' prehistoric geographical range using techniques from archaeology, biochemistry, and ecology. Prehistoric northern fur seals were year-round residents in California, nursing their young for much longer than modern fur seals.
Researchers at Bigelow Laboratory have developed a new approach to studying marine microbes, allowing for the analysis of individual unicellular organisms. The method, which uses fluorescence-activated sorting and multi-locus DNA sequencing, enables the study of metabolic capabilities and identities of uncultured microbial taxa.
Researchers use archaeology, biochemistry, and ecology to study the behavior and ecology of northern fur seals over 1,500 years. They find evidence of reproductive behavior in prehistoric populations that differs from modern populations.
A new study finds that high ocean temperatures and low coral cover increase the risk of white syndrome, a deadly disease threatening the world's richest ecosystems. The research suggests that corals in high-density areas will be increasingly vulnerable to disease if global warming continues.
Scientists have discovered that earthquake-induced gravity field changes can slowly recover to initial conditions, possibly due to simultaneous diffusion of mantle water. This self-healing system could significantly reduce permanent shifts in the Earth's rotation axis by earthquakes. Meanwhile, recent trends in Arctic Ocean mass distri...
A recent analysis reveals that inland water bodies are significant areas of terrestrial carbon transformation, deserving inclusion in global carbon cycle assessments. The findings show that rivers transport complex transformations of carbon, with half entering the atmosphere and 12% stored in sediments.
Researchers used king penguins as bio-indicators to study the impact of climate change on fish availability and foraging behavior. By analyzing heart rate and energy expenditure data, scientists found correlations between energetic costs and food scarcity, providing insights into the pressure exerted by king penguins on their ecosystem.
A study found that overfishing large sharks leads to an explosion of their ray and skate prey species, which in turn devastates scallop populations. The decline of great sharks has triggered cascading effects throughout coastal food webs, impacting local communities that depend on healthy fisheries.
A new ocean model at MIT captures the diversity of underwater forests, simulating the growth and population patterns of microscopic plants that produce half the oxygen we breathe. The model's approach reflects natural selection, allowing for a more accurate representation of real-world ecosystems.
A new study reveals that a sudden ocean climate change in the late 1970s may be responsible for Alaska's decline in Steller sea lion population. Climate change affected water temperatures and ocean currents determining the abundance of available fish for the sea lions to eat, leading to a decline.
A new report highlights Alaska's successful ocean conservation efforts and calls for continued vigilance to address climate change impacts on marine ecosystems. The 'Alaska Model' has been cited as a leading example of science-based management, with catch limits set below recommended harvest levels.
A massive cold-water eddy has been discovered off the coast of Sydney, altering the East Australian Current's flow. The eddy's impact on the Tasman Sea ecosystem is still unknown.
A worldwide general warning is warranted due to the significant health risks posed by mercury-contaminated fish, particularly for children and women of childbearing age. The Madison Declaration on Mercury Pollution highlights the need for effective national and international policies to combat this global problem.
Climate change is altering North Atlantic ecosystems by freshening seawater and curbing deepening of surface mixed layers. This shift affects phytoplankton and zooplankton populations, leading to changes in seasonal cycles.
Researchers propose a holistic approach to fisheries management, emphasizing the need to consider entire ecosystems and monitor catch characteristics. The 'Ten Commandments' outline specific action items to improve sustainability and efficiency in marine management.
Deep-sea fishing has been linked to habitat destruction and population declines of long-lived fish species. Eliminating government fuel subsidies could render fleets economically unviable and relieve pressure on vulnerable ecosystems.
A delayed arrival of cold, nutrient-rich water due to altered ocean currents led to reduced barnacle and mussel larvae settlement on rocky shores. The change resulted in lower phytoplankton abundance and a recovery of mussel recruitment when stronger nutrient-rich currents arrived later.
A recent study by Ohio State University scientists reveals that Antarctic warming is reducing animals at the base of the ecosystem, causing some penguin populations to shift southward. The loss of sea ice and decrease in krill abundance will have significant impacts on marine ecosystems.
Climate scientists reviewed observations of carbon dioxide, temperature, and sea level from 1990-2006 and found that actual changes closely followed projected scenarios. Sea levels have risen faster than previously estimated, with some uncertainties remaining about the contribution of ice-sheet melts.
Research reveals that warmer waters cause a deficiency in oxygen uptake and distribution, limiting fish populations. This study investigates the effect of water temperature on eelpout (Zoarces viviparus) physiology, showing a direct link between oxygen limitation and population density changes.
Researchers warn of imminent ecological extinction for reef sharks, with populations declining at alarming rates. Immediate reductions in fishing pressure are needed to give threatened species a chance of recovery.
A group of researchers has successfully identified algae of the genus known to represent coral symbionts and demonstrated that isolated algae can establish symbioses with new corals. This finding potentially bolsters future efforts to protect and rehabilitate coral reefs.
A 250M year-old mass extinction event led to a profound ecological shift in the world's oceans. Simple marine ecosystems were largely displaced by complex ones, reflecting a rise in mobile organisms with higher metabolism. This change has continued ever since, with current human activities potentially reversing this trend.
A team of scientists has observed bizarre deep-sea communities living around methane seeps off New Zealand's east coast, including tube worms, shell beds, and coral. The expedition discovered four types of chemosynthetic habitats in close proximity, providing valuable insights into the distribution patterns of biological life.
Scientists from the University of Miami's Rosenstiel School have developed an approach to investigate ocean reefs, which are considered the core of most living organisms. The new study has shed light on how stromatolites form and offers a new way to explore the origins of these living records.
Researchers analyzed ocean water samples from four regions, identifying over 91% new DNA sequences not present in existing databases. The study found that regional differences in geography and environment select for distinct viral communities.
A study finds that the loss of ocean species accelerates the collapse of entire ecosystems, reducing productivity and stability. The research projects the collapse of all currently fished seafoods by 2050, highlighting the need for sustainable management and biodiversity conservation.
A report warns of impending catastrophic collapse of all fish and seafood species by 2048, citing accelerating marine biodiversity loss as the primary cause. The study highlights the far-reaching consequences of this loss, including decreased ecosystem services such as water quality maintenance and coastal protection.
The Natural Capital Project aims to calculate ecosystem services' value to people, highlighting the importance of conserving natural systems. By incorporating these values into policies, conservation can be a profitable use of land, benefiting both biodiversity and human life.
A three-week expedition to French Frigate Shoals discovered many new species of crabs, corals, sea cucumbers, and other organisms. The expedition's findings provide a better understanding of marine biodiversity in the Hawaiian Archipelago.
Wade Cooper, a University of Miami student, has been awarded a $80,000 scholarship to advance his research on the early life stage dynamics of stony corals in natural environments. His work aims to aid in coral's survival in the face of climate change and ocean acidification.
A team of world-renowned scientists is conducting a 23-day research cruise to explore coral reef biodiversity in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Marine National Monument. The census aims to provide baseline information on the diversity, distribution, and abundance of ocean life, with a focus on lesser-known species.
A new study reveals that tropical regions are both a cradle and a museum of biodiversity, with many species originating in the tropics and spreading to higher latitudes. The research suggests that preserving tropical ecosystems is crucial for maintaining global biodiversity.
The Bird's Head Seascape in Indonesia's Papua province is the Earth's most diverse marine ecosystem, with over 1,200 fish species and 600 coral species. Threats from fishing, deforestation, and mining require immediate protection to preserve this unique biodiversity.
Dr. Edith Widder, a marine biologist and explorer, has received a MacArthur Fellowship for her work on deep-sea exploration and conservation. Her research focuses on using innovative technologies to study and protect marine ecosystems, with significant breakthroughs in bioluminescence and ocean observation.
A new project aims to create fast and sophisticated computer models to understand ecosystem dynamics and value for any spot on earth. The models will help policymakers identify specific ecosystem services and their impacts, enabling informed decisions on land use.
A global survey of coral reefs, built using NASA satellite images, found that only a handful of marine protected areas provide effective protection for fish species and marine life. The study highlights the need for larger reserves to protect these ecosystems.
Biodiversity experts warn of a major crisis and urge creation of an inter-governmental mechanism to provide a united, authoritative scientific voice. Existing organizations lack the structural means to mobilize the expertise of a large scientific community, spanning multiple disciplines.
Researchers found that jellyfish have overtaken fish in terms of biomass in heavily fished waters off Namibia's coast. Jellyfish abundance has risen significantly, with a total biomass estimated at 12.2 million metric tons, mostly contributed by large A. forskalea species.
Salps, small jellyfish-like creatures, transport massive amounts of carbon from surface to deep sea, potentially influencing global climate. Researchers estimate 4,000 tons of carbon are sunk daily through salp fecal pellets.
A new study quantifies the magnitude and causes of ecological change in 12 estuaries and coastal seas worldwide, documenting severe degradation and loss of marine biodiversity. The research highlights the importance of mitigating human activities to recover these critical ecosystems.
A recent study found that coral reefs in the Seychelles have suffered severe damage from global warming, leading to a 90% decline in coral cover and a significant loss of biodiversity. The damaged reefs are unable to reseed and recover, resulting in profound impacts on other organisms in the ecosystem.
Researchers from Kansas State University develop a low-cost remote sensing tool that can collect high-resolution images and reliable data on small ecosystems. The tool, made available to climate scientists, aims to provide flexible and affordable data collection for environmental research.
On a landmark 20-day Atlantic cruise, scientists cataloged 500 species of tiny zooplankton, including new discoveries. The expedition, part of the Census of Marine Life initiative, aimed to illuminate these essential life forms in the ocean's lower layers.
A study found a 3.5% slowdown in the Walker circulation, which drives trade winds and ocean currents. This could lead to a decrease in wind-forced ocean flow by up to 20% by 2100, impacting marine life and fishing regions.