Marine heatwaves disrupt ecosystem structure and function via altered food webs and energy flux

Nature Communications, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 15(1)

Published: March 13, 2024

The prevalence and intensity of marine heatwaves is increasing globally, disrupting local environmental conditions. individual population-level impacts prolonged on species have recently been demonstrated, yet whole-ecosystem consequences remain unexplored. We leveraged time series abundance data 361 taxa, grouped into 86 functional groups, from six long-term surveys, diet information a new database, previous modeling efforts, to build two food web networks using an extension the popular Ecopath ecosystem framework, Ecotran. compare models parameterized before after onset recent evaluate cascading effects structure function in Northeast Pacific Ocean. While ecosystem-level contribution (prey) demand (predators) most groups changed following heatwaves, gelatinous taxa experienced largest transformations, underscored by arrival northward-expanding pyrosomes. show altered trophic relationships energy flux potentially profound for function, raise concerns populations threatened harvested species.

Language: Английский

---

A collaborative climate vulnerability assessment of California marine fishery species

PLOS Climate, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 4(2), P. e0000574 - e0000574

Published: Feb. 12, 2025

Climate change and the associated shifts in species distributions ecosystem functioning pose a significant challenge to sustainability of marine fisheries human communities dependent upon them. In California Current, as recent, rapid, widespread changes have been observed across regional ecosystems, there is an urgent need develop implement adaptive climate-ready management strategies. Vulnerability Assessments (CVA) proposed first-line approach towards allocating limited resources identifying those stocks most further research and/or intervention. Here we perform CVA for 34 state-managed fish invertebrate species, following methodology previously developed applied federally managed species. We found Pacific herring, warty sea cucumber, spiny lobster be three expected sensitive climate impacts with halibut, bonito, hagfish least sensitive. When considering sensitivity combination environmental exposure both Near (2030–2060) Far (2070–2100) Exposure futures, red abalone was classified Very High vulnerability periods. Dungeness herring shifted from Pismo clam pink shrimp Moderate conditions progressed. providing relative holistic comparison degree which fishery are likely impacted progresses, our results can help inform strategic planning initiatives identify where gaps scientific knowledge capacity may greatest risk California’s resource economies coastal communities.

Language: Английский

---

Stay or go? Geographic variation in risks due to climate change for fishing fleets that adapt in-place or adapt on-the-move

PLOS Climate, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 3(2), P. e0000285 - e0000285

Published: Feb. 9, 2024

From fishers to farmers, people across the planet who rely directly upon natural resources for their livelihoods and well-being face extensive impacts from climate change. However, local- regional-scale associated risks can vary geographically, implications development of adaptation pathways that will be most effective specific communities are underexplored. To improve this understanding at relevant local scales, we developed a coupled social-ecological approach assess risk posed fishing fleets by change, applying it case study groundfish cornerstone fisheries along U.S. West Coast. Based on mean three high-resolution projections, found more poleward may experience twice as much temperature change equatorward fleets, 3–4 times depth displacement historical environmental conditions in grounds. Not only they highly exposed but some >10x economically-dependent groundfish. While show clear regional differences fleets’ flexibility shift new via diversification (‘adapt in-place’) or grounds response future through greater mobility on-the-move’), these do not completely mitigate exposure economic dependence fleets. Therefore, Coast overall due contrast expectations other parts world. Through integration climatic, ecological, socio-economic data, illustrates potential widespread implementation assessment scales fishers, communities, decision makers. Such applications help identify greatest opportunities enhance dimensions adaptive capacity.

Language: Английский

---

Marine heatwaves redistribute pelagic fishing fleets

Fish and Fisheries, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 25(4), P. 602 - 618

Published: April 4, 2024

Abstract Marine heatwaves (MHWs) have measurable impacts on marine ecosystems and reliant fisheries associated communities. However, how MHWs translate to changes in fishing opportunities the displacement of fleets remains poorly understood. Using vessel tracking data from automatic identification system (AIS), we developed distribution models for two pelagic targeting highly migratory species, U.S. Atlantic longline Pacific troll fleets, understand MHW properties (intensity, size, duration) influence core grounds fleet displacement. For both size had largest ground area with northern gaining southern decreasing area. response varied between coasts, as displaced farther regions whereas most shifted farther. Characterizing responses these anomalous conditions can help identify regional vulnerabilities under future extreme events aid supporting climate‐readiness resilience fisheries.

Language: Английский

---

State of the California Current Ecosystem report in 2022: a tale of two La Niñas

Frontiers in Marine Science, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 11

Published: Feb. 9, 2024

2022 marked the third consecutive La Niña and extended longest stretch of negative Oceanic Niño Index since 1998-2001. While physical biological conditions in winter spring largely adhered to prior conditions, summer fall were very different. Similar past events, coastal upwelling was either average or above average, temperature below salinity generally average. In fall, however, slightly close chlorophyll a Again, as during biomass northern/southern copepods above/below off Oregon winter, body size North Pacific krill northern California winter. By contrast, later year abundance dropped while southern increased sizes fell California. Off Washington abundances market squid pompano (indicators warm, non-typical conditions) high. 20 th century, Northern anchovy recruitment tended be high cold but despite mostly warm from 2015-2021 populations boomed remained 2022. Resident seabird reproductive success, which increase productive highly variable throughout system common murre pelagic cormorant, experienced complete failure at Yaquina Head, Brandt’s cormorant reproduction At three sampling locations central California, both sealion has been each 2016, pup weight also 2022, likely response not El continuous anchovy. The often unpredictable highlight growing recognition disconnects between basin-scale indices local CCE. “July-December is biggest outlier individual “strong” (events) ever going back 50s.” – Nate Mantua

Language: Английский

---

Evaluating the design of the first marine protected area network in Pacific Canada under a changing climate

FACETS, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 9, P. 1 - 18

Published: Jan. 1, 2024

Marine protected area (MPAs) networks can buffer marine ecosystems from the impacts of climate change by allowing species to redistribute as conditions and reducing other stressors. There are, however, few examples where has been considered in MPA network design. In this paper, we assess how considerations were integrated into design a newly released Northern Shelf Bioregion British Columbia, Canada, then evaluate resulting against projected physical biogeochemical changes biological responses. We found that representation, replication, size spacing recommendations phase met most cases. Furthermore, despite varying degrees temperature, dissolved oxygen, aragonite saturation across network, suitable habitat for demersal fish is remain some redistribution among sites. also mid-depth MPAs are particularly important persistence, move deeper avoid warming shallower areas. Our results highlight representative with adequate incorporates areas trajectory, should change.

Language: Английский

---

Persistence of fish populations to longer, more intense, and more frequent mass mortality events

Global Change Biology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 30(3)

Published: March 1, 2024

Abstract Over the last decades, mass mortality events have become increasingly common across taxa with sometimes devastating effects on population biomass. In aquatic environment, fish are sensitive to events, particularly at early life stages that crucial for dynamics. However, it has recently been shown fish, a single event in typically does not lead collapse. Moreover, frequency and intensity of extreme can cause mortality, such as marine heatwaves, increasing. Here, we show increasing may Since drivers diverse, often linked climate change, is challenging predict severity future events. As an alternative, quantify probability collapse depending well duration Based 39 species, increases frequency, intensity, addition, depends key traits natural recruitment variation, density dependence. The presented framework provides quantitative estimates sensitivity species these which paves way potential mitigation actions alleviate adverse impacts harvested populations globe.

Language: Английский

---

Genetic parentage reveals the (un)natural history of Central Valley hatchery steelhead

Evolutionary Applications, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 17(3)

Published: March 1, 2024

Populations composed of individuals descended from multiple distinct genetic lineages often feature significant differences in phenotypic frequencies. We considered hatchery production steelhead, the migratory anadromous form salmonid species

Language: Английский

---

Conservation benefits of a large marine protected area network that spans multiple ecosystems

Conservation Biology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 9, 2025

Abstract Marine protected areas (MPAs) are widely implemented tools for long‐term ocean conservation and resource management. Assessments of MPA performance have largely focused on specific ecosystems individually rarely evaluated across multiple either in an individual or network. We the 59 MPAs California's large network, which encompasses 4 primary (surf zone, kelp forest, shallow reef, deep reef) bioregions, identified attributes that best explain performance. Using a meta‐analytic framework, we ability to conserve fish biomass, richness, diversity. At scale network 3 regions, biomass species targeted by fishing was positively associated with level regulatory protection greater inside no‐take MPAs, whereas not had similar open fishing. In contrast, richness diversity were as strongly enhanced protection. The key features effectiveness included age, preimplementation fisheries pressure, habitat Important drivers single consistent spanning regions ecosystems. With international targets aimed at protecting 30% world's oceans 2030, design assessment frameworks should consider ecologically relevant scales, from networks.

Language: Английский

---

Arctic and Subarctic marine heatwaves and their ecological impacts

Frontiers in Environmental Science, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 13

Published: Feb. 19, 2025

The Arctic and Subarctic seas are predicted to become hotspots for marine heatwaves (MHWs). High-latitude ecosystems face unique consequences from accelerated warming sea ice loss, challenging species adapted cold conditions. We review the literature on MHW characteristics ecological impacts in seas, contrast between Bering Sea Barents Sea. uncover pervasive of MHWs across widely different organism groups, including benthic foundation species, phytoplankton, zooplankton, fish, seabirds, mammals. marginal especially prevalent areas experiencing retreat, such as seasonal zones, highlighting complex interplay dynamics. Overall, few studies have documented high-latitude ecosystems, with notable exception Chukchi 2017–2019. Many their narrow thermal preferences, appear vulnerable MHWs, they might not access climate refugia, while boreal benefit MHWs. Sessile kelp seagrasses, at risk during although evidence remains limited. Reproductive failure mass mortality events been several Pacific (e.g., crabs). observed ecosystem-wide repercussions northern shifts plankton communities affecting entire food web. responses still fully understood, a need further research assess direct indirect various taxa improve predictive models better management conservation strategies. can also large ecosystem services socio-ecological systems, example, closures economically valuable culturally important fisheries, seen Alaska, degradation traditional ice-hunting practices, compromised wellbeing coastal communities. Large abrupt changes following underscore urgent adaptive strategies ongoing change.

Language: Английский

---