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.
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.
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...
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 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.
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 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 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 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 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.
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.
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.
Research challenges previous assessments suggesting large increases in soil carbon with rising CO2 levels. Plants can pump nitrogen into soils, but this process cannot keep up with increasing CO2 unless essential nutrients are added as fertilizers.
The study finds that healthy ecosystems can mitigate the effects of disasters like landslides and floods. Mainstreaming sustainable biodiversity management into policy decisions may reverse ecosystem degradation trends.
The Bering Sea ecosystem is responding to changes in Arctic climate, with shifts in species and ecosystem structure impacting native communities. The region's productivity and carbon balance are being altered, with potential implications for the role of the sea as a carbon sink.
Devices called PALs can detect sounds coming from ships, whales, volcanic eruptions, rainfall, and breaking waves. By analyzing these sound sources by frequency, researchers can create a 'sound budget' that helps establish noise regulations for different ecosystems.
The Bahamas Biocomplexity Project adopts a holistic approach to marine conservation, combining scientific tools with ethnographic and economic surveys. The project's findings suggest that marine protected areas can increase seaweed grazing and reduce algal abundance, benefiting coral reefs.
Rising atmospheric carbon dioxide is causing coral reefs to become more acidic, threatening their survival. Laboratory experiments suggest a doubling in CO2 could drive production of carbonate below what's needed to repair skeletal damage.
The InterRidge statement of commitment emphasizes the need for responsible research practices in deep-sea vent areas. The statement aims to establish professional standards and promote awareness about the potential consequences of human impacts on these extreme ecosystems.
Marine mammals like otters and manatees are providing early clues of our impact on the oceans. Research suggests that their deaths from diseases like Toxoplasma may be linked to human activities such as cat ownership and algal blooms.
Human activities are disrupting the balance of diseases in oceans, causing harm to sea lions, marine mammals, and humans. Coral diseases, linked to sugars from sewage and run-off, are also on the rise, threatening coral reefs.
Researchers found that in two-thirds of world's largest marine ecosystems, fishermen chose to target additional kinds of fish, leading to changes in catch composition. Landings of more valuable fish remained the same or increased, highlighting the need for effective management strategies to ensure sustainability.
Researchers found that introduced foxes reduced guano deposits, affecting plants and animals at the bottom of the food web. The study showed significant differences in plant communities between fox-infested and fox-free islands.
Marine scientists are investigating the world's coral reefs to assess biodiversity, identify species, and predict reef collapse. The CReefs project aims to answer key questions about reef dynamics, species survival, and conservation strategies.
Scientists uncover evidence of massive soil erosion as primary cause of end-Permian extinction, which wiped out over two-thirds of reptile and amphibian families. The research reveals a unique set of molecules found in rocks from Italy provided crucial insights into the event.
The discovery of Dallasaurus, a three-foot long lizard that lived 92 million years ago, fills a gap in the understanding of mosasaur evolution and reveals that they transitioned from land to sea. The fossil find provides significant insights into the biology and natural history of mosasaurs, which were top predators in their ecosystem.
Scientists found evidence of rapid climatic change and massive burial of dead organic matter in ancient sediments. This variability led to oxygen-depleted deep ocean conditions and extreme climate fluctuations on land.