by Marine ecosystems are facing multiple waves of climate change effects, as highlighted by a recent paper published in the Annual Review of Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics. The study, co-authored by a biologist from Brown University, emphasizes the importance of considering both the trend of climate warming and the fluctuations in local temperature to gain a more accurate understanding of climate change responses and future consequences.
While climate change studies tend to focus on the overall trend of global warming, the paper suggests that the variability in local temperatures and its interaction with the steadily warming climate are often overlooked. This variability causes atypically warm events, such as marine heatwaves, to occur more frequently and with greater magnitude.
The researchers propose a new approach to better understand and model the effects of marine climate change. This approach takes into account both the smooth, upward trend of climate warming and the variability on top of that trend. By considering temperature fluctuations, scientists can gain a more realistic understanding of how marine organisms are experiencing climate change.
Coral serves as an illustrative example of the need for this new approach. While corals are already trying to adapt to the trend of rising temperatures, they also have to endure heatwaves, which cause sudden spikes in temperature. These spikes often lead to coral bleaching, a process in which metabolically stressed corals expel the beneficial microscopic algae living within them, causing them to turn white. If the temperature stays high and the algae are unable to return, the bleached coral will die.
The researchers point to heatwaves in the Mediterranean as a prime example of how extreme events can lead to coral bleaching and the death of corals and sea fans. Understanding how temperature spikes affect coral reefs is crucial for identifying areas where corals are more likely to die off during extreme events, leaving coral-dependent organisms at risk over time.
However, temperature variability can also have an opposite effect on organisms, enabling them to acclimatize or adapt to temperature extremes, depending on their frequency and intensity. By considering these variations, scientists can gain a more comprehensive understanding of how different marine species respond to climate change.
Overall, this new approach to studying climate change effects in marine ecosystems provides a more nuanced understanding of the challenges faced by marine organisms. By incorporating temperature fluctuations into climate change models, scientists can better predict future consequences and identify areas where marine ecosystems are more vulnerable to both progressive climate change and temperature fluctuations. This knowledge is crucial for developing effective strategies to mitigate the impacts of climate change on marine biodiversity.
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1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
Money Singh is a seasoned content writer with over four years of experience in the market research sector. Her expertise spans various industries, including food and beverages, biotechnology, chemicals and materials, defense and aerospace, consumer goods, etc.
