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

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Typhoon induced mesoscale cyclonic eddy a long neglected linkage between atmosphere ocean and climate

npj Climate and Atmospheric Science, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 8(1)

Published: Feb. 21, 2025

Language: Английский

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Artificial structures can facilitate rapid coral recovery under climate change

Scientific Reports, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 15(1)

Published: March 17, 2025

Abstract Rising seawater temperatures from climate change have caused coral bleaching, risking extinction by century’s end. To save corals, reef restoration must occur alongside other climate-change mitigation. Here we show the effectiveness of habitat creation on artificial structures for rapid in response to change. We use 29 years field observations distributions breakwaters and surrounding reefs (around 33,000 measurements total). Following bleaching 1998, had higher cover (mainly Acropora spp.) than did natural reefs. Coral recovery times matched frequency recent events (~ every 6 years) were accelerated surface processing with grooves. Corals more abundant shallow waters, under high light, moderately sloped substrate. abundance was increased incorporating areas texture. Our results suggest that can increase community resilience against increasing potential.

Language: Английский

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A Machine Learning Approach to Rapidly Downscale Sea Surface Temperature Extremes and Heat Stress on the Great Barrier Reef

Geophysical Research Letters, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 52(8)

Published: April 23, 2025

Abstract Reef‐scale climate projections, such as those generated by CMIP6, are critical for guiding the development of effective intervention strategies mass coral bleaching events. We developed a machine learning (ML) model based on super resolution deconvolutional neural network to rapidly downscale sea surface temperature (SST) Great Barrier Reef (GBR). When downscaling 80 km data 10 resolution, ML outperforms conventional interpolation methods capturing spatial variability SST and extreme thermal applied this independent datasets from both present‐day future climates, demonstrating its robustness. Additionally, we demonstrated model's capability reconstruct degree heating weeks risk analysis. With ease implementation low computational cost, could be readily used or easily trained outputs reefs around world.

Language: Английский

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Know Thy Anemone: A Review of Threats to Octocorals and Anemones and Opportunities for Their Restoration

Frontiers in Marine Science, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 7

Published: July 22, 2020

In studies of habitat-forming species, those that are not spatially dominant often considered ‘non-primary’ habitat and may be overlooked. This is despite the fact minority formers can provide critical complexity, food, other services underpin ecosystem biodiversity. Octocorals anemones found in marine estuarine habitats across all climate zones. Despite their potentially important ecological roles, to date there have been few specific threats stressors or attempts at restoration. Here we review ecology octocorals with a focus on We identify many including damage, collection trade, disease, predation, pollution, most wide-spread – change. While evidence suggests some anemone populations more resilient disturbances than stony corals because they recruit grow quickly, resilience guaranteed. Instead, susceptibility within this large group likely site species specific. find loss has difficult quantify as no hard structures remain following mortality event. Only through long-term monitoring efforts researchers able document change these populations. Due increasing extent severity human impacts ecosystems, restoration forming becoming increasingly necessary after disturbance events. To illustrate challenges ahead for octocoral restoration, present two examples ongoing assessed against International Standards Practice Ecological Restoration. Restoration planning implementation progress documented Mediterranean red coral Corallium rubrum temperate Australian cauliflower soft coral, Dendronephthya australis. detailed case demonstrate while reef systems, greater research ecology, threats, potential urgently required.

Language: Английский

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