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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What makes a marine heatwave forecast useable, useful and used?

Progress In Oceanography, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 103464 - 103464

Published: March 1, 2025

Language: Английский

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Population level impacts of gillnet entanglement mortality on three alcid species in British Columbia, Canada

ICES Journal of Marine Science, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 82(4)

Published: April 1, 2025

Abstract Incidental mortality via entanglement in non-selective gillnets is a known conservation issue for marine birds globally, and specifically, the productive waters of British Columbia, Canada. Three alcid species are particularly susceptible to gillnet bycatch (common murres Uria aalge, marbled murrelets Brachyramphus marmoratus (listed as “Threatened” under Canada’s Species at Risk Act) rhinoceros auklets Cerorhinca monocerata), with estimates commercial salmon net fisheries ranging from hundreds thousands individuals annually. Despite risk posed by gillnets, population-level impacts due have not been estimated. Therefore, we wanted (1) understand how varying levels may impact population growth persistence (2) estimate size needed withstand recent mortality. We used simulation-based approach matrix projection models on probability extinction within 25 years. found that common murre was most vulnerable current rates producing high extinction. The estimated over an order magnitude higher than size, indicating Canadian taking breeding USA. Extinction ∼1% years given bycatch, contributing other anthropogenic threats such loss fragmentation nesting habitat. Rhinoceros had very low large compared bycatch. This study highlights species-specific differences these populations importance moving away toward more selective fishing methods reduce seabird populations.

Language: Английский

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The End of an Era? Trends in Abundance and Reproduction of Australian Southern Right Whales (Eubalaena australis) Suggest Failure to Re‐Establish Pre‐Whaling Population Size

Global Change Biology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 31(5)

Published: April 30, 2025

The large-scale exploitation of whale populations in the whaling era led to near extirpation large whales all over world. This must have had major repercussions for marine ecosystems globally. Consequent changes those and physical environments create uncertainty around whether present-day conditions are adequate support full recovery pre-whaling population sizes. Combined with potential effects anthropogenic stressors, future viability exploited is questioned. migrating species was left extinction from has shown slow, yet steady, recent decades. Here, we collate abundance data aerial surveys performed along Australian coast between 1976 2024, covering 2250 km coastal habitat, study trajectory southern right (Eubalaena australis). We describe temporal trends abundance, reproduction growth western sub-population. Our reveals that despite previously displaying exponential growth, a present size still residing far below levels, our annual births started declining since 2016 abundances unaccompanied individuals dropped by 66%. results suggest end an this population's recovery, highlighting initial period steady does not guarantee successful re-establishment previous levels.

Language: Английский

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Shifts in marine bird abundance and species composition following the 2014−2016 Pacific marine heatwave

Frontiers in Marine Science, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 12

Published: May 12, 2025

The 2014−2016 Pacific marine heatwave (PMH) was an intense and prolonged environmental disturbance that significantly disrupted the food web, leading to widespread ecological impacts. PMH contributed major shifts in species distributions, mass mortalities, reproductive failures among upper-trophic level species, including a massive die-off of common murres ( Uria aalge ) Gulf Alaska (GOA). To assess impact on winter bird community Prince William Sound (PWS), large embayment northern GOA, we analyzed changes abundance composition series bays before after PMH. overall density birds decreased changed PWS following Specifically, murres, cormorants, loons from pre-PMH survey densities, while marbled murrelet Brachyramphus marmoratus densities increased. post-PMH increase murrelets, likely due immigration, coincided with rapid growth spatial expansion herring Clupea pallasii young-of-the-year population smaller, 8-month across GOA. We suggest mortality lack recovery by murre provided competitive release enabling murrelets exploit growing forage fish population, may be more effective at shifting warmer-water zooplankton during events. These results highlight persistent associated provide important insights into consequences disturbances. This is increasingly relevant given predicted frequency intensity heatwaves.

Language: Английский

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Climate change threats to Earth's wild animals

BioScience, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: May 20, 2025

Language: Английский

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