How does Climate Change directly impact on marine ecosystems?

How does Climate Change directly impact on marine ecosystems? | Huliq: Breaking News

There is no denying that climate changes have profound impacts on the world and especially on the marine environment. Recent research has shown that the Northern Hemisphere has been warmer since 1980 than at any other time during the last two millenniums. As a result the increase in temperature under climate change was generally higher in northern than in southern European seas.

The latest European Science Foundation-Marine Board study report, "Impact of climate change on European marine and coastal environment - Ecosystem approach" shows how even moderate climate scenarios have caused marked consequences on the European marine environment.

The study has detailed the impact of climate change at a European Seas level – in the Arctic, the Barents Sea, the Nordic Seas, the Baltic, the North Sea, the Northeast Atlantic, in the Celtic-Biscay Shelf, the Iberia upwelling margin, the Mediterranean and the Black Sea.

Take the northern Arctic and Barents Seas for example the decline in sea ice cover there has triggered the most obvious temperature-related changes for marine life. The open systems structure of these seas has demonstrated how climate changes are causing further northward movement of marine organisms – Atlantic species are beginning to inhabit the more northern seas, the traditional preserve of Arctic species, and subtropical species are moving into southern waters where previously mainly temperate species existed.

In addition, the increased river runoff and subsequent freshening of the Baltic Sea have also led to shifts from marine to more brackish and even freshwater species while the temperature-induced loss of native species from enclosed systems, such as the Mediterranean and Black Sea, will enhance the introduction of non-native organisms, according to the study-report which is led by Dr. Katja Philippart from the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research.

After taking in all of the recorded impacts on the European Seas for consideration, the ESF-Marine working group has identified other possible future challenges in terms of climate change monitoring, modelling, indicators and research and development. It has made several recommendations based on these challenges.

They are:

1. A concerted effort to gather, store and analyse previously and presently collected marine environmental data (e.g. common open access database and annual Pan-European reporting based on national contributions);

2. Identifying the nature and rate of consequences of climate change in European marine and coastal waters; this will require the maintainance of sustained monitoring efforts and use of new technologies to increase their spatial and temporal resolution;

3. Predicting the consequences of climate change for our marine environment; this will require the development and measurement of parameters.

4. Predicting the response and feedback of marine environments and ecosystems to climate change which would require the improvement of regional climate models and the development of biophysical models;

5. Predicting the impact on climate change on the distribution of marine organisms and on marine food webs; this will require the inclusion of knowledge on species' physiology, bioenergetics and behaviour in biophysical and ecosystem models.

The study report, which started in 2005, was disclosed today at the annual Young Marine Scientist's Day event taking place at the Boeverbos venue in Bruges, Belgium, organised by the Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ). At the event the report was formally handed over to Koen Verlaeckt, head of cabinet 'Science and Innovation' of Fientje Moerman, Vice-Minister President of the Flemish Government and Flemish Minister of Economy, Enterprise, Science, Innovation and Foreign Trade.

The European Science Foundation (ESF), with offices in Strasbourg and Brussels, is the European association of 75 major national research funding and performing organisations and academies in 30 countries devoted to excellence in scientific research. For more information, visit: www.esf.org

With it present memberships of 23 marine research organisations (institutes and agencies) from 16 countries, the Marine Board provides a unique forum to express the collective vision of how research can inform issues of societal concern.

Greenpeace Calls for Urgent Action on Marine Reserves at UN Fisheries Meeting

Greenpeace

 

Greenpeace Calls for Urgent Action on Marine Reserves at UN Fisheries Meeting  

ROME - March 5 -- Greenpeace today called on governments attending the biannual United Nations fisheries meeting in Rome this week to push for the implementation of a global network of fully protected marine reserves covering 40% of marine ecosystems as an essential way to restore health of global fish-stocks and to protect marine ecosystems.

This is a crucial week for Ministers and officials who have gathered from around the world for the largest global fisheries meeting in the UN calendar. Against a backdrop of drastic declines in global fish stocks and with no sign of the threats to marine life diminishing, governments must take action this week and commit to overhauling their approach to fisheries and oceans management.

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation recently warned that 77% of global fish stocks are fully or over exploited . Demand for fish is increasing, illegal and unregulated fishing is expanding as industrialised fleets move into areas where regulations do not exist or are weak, and even in areas that have fisheries regimes operating, stocks of commercial species, such as bluefin tuna, are close to collapse.

"It's time to make a radical change to the way our oceans are managed, thinking about the whole marine environment, not just a particular species" said Greenpeace International campaigner Sari Tolvanen. "Marine reserves are the only way to protect and restore the marine environment and to allow exploited fish stocks to recover".

Apo Island Marine Reserve is one of the best-known examples of marine protection in the Philippines. Studies have shown the benefits of the reserve for conservation and for local communities. It has seen a seven-fold increase in large predatory reef fish after 11 years of protection. Large no-take marine reserves on the high seas would deliver the same benefit to commercial fisheries. Putting large areas of ocean aside from all extractive uses, such as fishing and mining, can result in long lasting and often rapid increases in marine populations, their diversity and productivity - of significance to the millions of people who depend on sustainable fish resources.

Greenpeace is calling for Regional Fisheries Management Organisations and governments to take much stronger action on Illegal, Unregulated and Unreported (IUU) fishing, to stamp out pirate fishing and to ensure trade in fish products does not result in further depletion of these resources. But in the face of such slow progress on IUU fishing, and expanding pressure on fish stocks, governments must fundamentally change the way they protect life under the sea. Otherwise future generations will not enjoy either the beauty or the bounty of our oceans.

"Protection of ocean ecosystems is crucial for the millions of people who are dependent on them for their livelihoods, particularly local fishers and communities for whom fish provides not just an income, but also a source of food," said Sebastien Losada. "The best way to protect our ocean resources, both for their intrinsic value but also the value they provide to those communities dependent on them, is to create marine reserves."

EO News: Climate Change Brews Trouble for Marine Life in European Seas

EO News: Climate Change Brews Trouble for Marine Life in European Seas

CLIMATE CHANGE BREWS TROUBLE FOR MARINE LIFE IN EUROPEAN SEAS, MARINE BOARD-ESF SAYS

There is no denying that climate changes have profound impacts on the world and especially on the marine environment. Recent research has shown that the Northern Hemisphere has been warmer since 1980 than at any other time during the last two millenniums. As a result the increase in temperature under climate change was generally higher in northern than in southern European seas.

The latest European Science Foundation-Marine Board study report, "Impact of climate change on European marine and coastal environment - Ecosystem approach" shows how even moderate climate scenarios have caused marked consequences on the European marine environment.

The study has detailed the impact of climate change at a European Seas level – in the Arctic, the Barents Sea, the Nordic Seas, the Baltic, the North Sea, the Northeast Atlantic, in the Celtic-Biscay Shelf, the Iberia upwelling margin, the Mediterranean and the Black Sea.

Take the northern Arctic and Barents Seas for example the decline in sea ice cover there has triggered the most obvious temperature-related changes for marine life. The open systems structure of these seas has demonstrated how climate changes are causing further northward movement of marine organisms – Atlantic species are beginning to inhabit the more northern seas, the traditional preserve of Arctic species, and subtropical species are moving into southern waters where previously mainly temperate species existed.

 In addition, the increased river runoff and subsequent freshening of the Baltic Sea have also led to shifts from marine to more brackish and even freshwater species while the temperature-induced loss of native species from enclosed systems, such as the Mediterranean and Black Sea, will enhance the introduction of non-native organisms, according to the study-report which is led by Dr. Katja Philippart from the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research.

After taking in all of the recorded impacts on the European Seas for consideration, the ESF-Marine working group has identified other possible future challenges in terms of climate change monitoring, modeling, indicators and research and development. It has made several recommendations based on these challenges.

They are:

1. A concerted effort to gather, store and analyze previously and presently collected marine environmental data (e.g. common open access database and annual Pan-European reporting based on national contributions);

2. Identifying the nature and rate of consequences of climate change in European marine and coastal waters; this will require the maintenance of sustained monitoring efforts and use of new technologies to increase their spatial and temporal resolution;

3. Predicting the consequences of climate change for our marine environment; this will require the development and measurement of parameters.

4. Predicting the response and feedback of marine environments and ecosystems to climate change which would require the improvement of regional climate models and the development of biophysical models;

5. Predicting the impact on climate change on the distribution of marine organisms and on marine food webs; this will require the inclusion of knowledge on species' physiology, bioenergetics and behavior in biophysical and ecosystem models.

The study report, which started in 2005, was disclosed today at the annual Young Marine Scientist's Day event taking place at the Boeverbos venue in Bruges, Belgium, organized by the Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ). At the event the report was formally handed over to Koen Verlaeckt, head of cabinet 'Science and Innovation' of Fientje Moerman, Vice-Minister President of the Flemish Government and Flemish Minister of Economy, Enterprise, Science, Innovation and Foreign Trade. 

The European Science Foundation (ESF), with offices in Strasbourg and Brussels, is the European association of 75 major national research funding and performing organizations and academies in 30 countries devoted to excellence in scientific research. For more information, visit: www.esf.org

With it present memberships of 23 marine research organizations (institutes and agencies) from 16 countries, the Marine Board provides a unique forum to express the collective vision of how research can inform issues of societal concern.  ( www.esf.org/marine board)

Climate change brews trouble for European marine life, says ESF report

CORDIS : News

Climate change brews trouble for European marine life, says ESF report

Marine species in European seas are feeling the effects of global warming and moving northwards, a report by the Marine Board of the European Science Foundation has revealed.

The report found that due to the increase in global temperatures, Atlantic species are beginning to inhabit the more northern seas, where Arctic species have traditionally lived. Meanwhile subtropical species are moving into southern waters, previously the habitat of temperate species.

The latest European Science Foundation Marine Board study report, 'Impact of climate change on European marine and coastal environment - Ecosystem approach', shows how even the current moderate climate scenarios have had consequences for the European marine environment.

The study details the impact of climate change in European Seas, including the Arctic, the Barents Sea, the Nordic Seas, the Baltic, the North Sea, the Northeast Atlantic, the Celtic-Biscay Shelf, the Iberia upwelling margin, the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea.

The research found that the decline in sea ice cover in the northern Arctic and Barents Seas has triggered the most obvious temperature changes for marine life, and that the open systems structure of these seas demonstrates how climate changes are causing the further northward movement of marine organisms.

The distributional shifts in organisms, from phytoplankton to marine mammals and seabirds, may result in the establishment of non-indigenous species in the Arctic, forcing a further geographical withdrawal of native Arctic species and the possibility of some species disappearing altogether, the team reported.

In addition, increased river runoff, which has freshened the Baltic Sea, has led to shifts from marine to more brackish species and even freshwater species moving into the Baltic.

At the same time, the temperature-induced loss of native species from enclosed systems, such as the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, will make it easier for non-native organisms to invade these seas.

The marine ecologist Dr Katja Philippart, from the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, concluded that 'the scientific evidence is now overwhelming that climate change is a serious global threat which requires urgent global response, and that climate change is driven by human activity.'

For the future, the European Science Foundation Marine Board recommended that scientists set up an open access database of marine environmental data to identify the nature and rate of consequences of climate change on European marine life and marine and coastal waters.

Recognising the need for improved coordination between European marine science organisations (both research institutes and funding organisations) and for the development of a strategy for marine science in Europe, the European Science Foundation (ESF), in association with the European Commission, established the ESF Marine Board in 1995 to address these issues.

Huge lakes and rivers found under Antarctic ice

CTV.ca | Huge lakes and rivers found under Antarctic ice

An amazing discovery has been made in the Antarctic. Researchers have found that under the compressed snow and ice lies a sort of water world -- a series of fast-moving lakes and rivers.

Glacial lakes have been found before in Antarctica, but what Dr. Helen Fricker of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California found is a system of fast-flowing rivers and reservoirs underneath the ice.

Scripps says it seems the rivers transport the majority of the water from the deep interior of the ice sheet out to the ice shelves, and ultimately to the ocean.

"It's a new process that we didn't know about before. So it just shows that there's more we need to know about Antarctica," Fricker explained to Canada AM.

Global warming didn't create the rivers and lakes; they lie more than half a kilometre under the surface -- too deep to be affected by temperature changes on the surface.

But understanding how they behave is important to understanding how climate change could affect the Antarctic, Fricker said.

"The importance of the discovery is that in a warming climate, we need to be able to predict what the ice sheets are going to do.

"The Antarctic ice sheet has 90 per cent of the world's fresh water and has potential to raise sea level by about 60 meters if it all melted. So if we can model it very accurately, we will know what's going to happen in the next 10, 100, 1,000 years time, and we can get some ideas of what the sea level rises will be."

To detect the subglacial lakes, Fricker and her colleagues used data from NASA's ICESat, which sends laser pulses from space to the Antarctic surface and back, providing images much the way sonar uses sound pulses.

Fricker's team of glaciologists detected dips in the surface of the glacier that moved as the hidden lakes drained and filled.

"We can actually see the surface going down in response to the water moving away and in other places we can see the surface going up in response to the water arriving," Scripps said.

"This is a whole process that we've identified that we didn't actually know, and it's not in any computer models of the ice sheet right now. "

Fricker is now hoping to take a team to the region to map out their findings.

"Hopefully this season we will be able to get down there and put GPS on the lakes and monitor them on a daily basis," she said.

Scientist finds new ocean in inner earth

Scientist finds new ocean in inner earth | Science Blog

A seismologist at Washington University in St. Louis has made the first 3-D model of seismic wave damping -- diminishing -- deep in the Earth's mantle and has revealed the existence of an underground water reservoir at least the volume of the Arctic Ocean.

It is the first evidence for water existing in the Earth's deep mantle.

Michael E. Wysession, Ph.D., Washington University professor of earth and planetary sciences in Arts & Sciences, working with former graduate student Jesse Lawrence (now at the University of California, San Diego), analyzed 80,000 shear waves from more than 600,000 seismograms and found a large area in Earth's lower mantle beneath eastern Asia where water is damping out, or attenuating, seismic waves from earthquakes.

The traditional method seismologists use to image the Earth below us is to measure the speed of seismic waves. This will provide a sort of CAT scan of the Earth's core and mantle. Using wave speeds alone is a problem, however, because they cannot distinguish between temperature and composition variations.

The research is described in a forthcoming monograph, Earth's Deep Water Cycle, which is in press to be published by the American Geophysical Union.

Analyzing damped-out waves

An increasingly popular method, which Wysession used, is to analyze the way waves damp out from their source. If you take a hammer and pound it hard on a desk, waves will go from the source to the end of the table with the mass of the table lessening, or attenuating, the power of waves. A picture near the striking point might topple, but a stapler two feet away might not even budge. Attenuation data tell seismologists how stiff a region is, which is a function of how hot it is and how much water it contains. Looking at the seismic wave speeds and attenuation at the same time can tell whether an anomaly is due to temperature or water.

In analyzing the data, Wysession first saw large patterns associated with known areas where the ocean floor is sinking down into the earth. Beneath Asia, the fallen Pacific sea floor piles up at the base of the mantle. Right above that he observed an "incredibly highly attenuating region, that is both very damping and slightly slow," he said. "Water slows the speed of waves a little. Lots of damping and a little slowing match the predictions for water very well."

Previous predictions calculated that a cold ocean slab sinking into the earth at 1,200 to 1,4000 kilometers beneath the surface would release water in the rock that would escape the rock and rise up to a region above it, but this was never previously observed.

Beijing anomaly

"That is exactly what we show here, the exact depth and high attenuation amounts right above it," Wysession said. "I call it the Beijing anomaly. Water inside the rock goes down with the sinking slab and it's quite cold, but it heats up the deeper it goes, and the rock eventually becomes unstable and loses its water. The water then rises up into the overlying region, which becomes saturated with water.

"If you combine the volume of this anomaly with the fact that the rock can hold up to about 0.1 percent of water, that works out to be about an Arctic Ocean's worth of water."

In recent years, seismologists have become excited at the possibility of a feature like the Beijing anomaly. The availability of vast amounts of digital seismograms made possible the discovery by Wysession and Lawrence, who wrote many thousands of lines of computer codes to do the analyses.

Seventy percent of the earth is covered by water, which is very important for the earth's geology, serving as a lubricant that allows efficient convection and plate tectonics and the continental collisions that form mountains.

"Water is like a lubricant, constantly oiling the machine of mantle convection which then drives plate tectonics and causes the continents to move about Earth's surface," Wysession said. "Look at our sister planet, Venus. It is very hot and dry inside Venus, and Venus has no plate tectonics. All the water probably boiled off, and without water, there are no plates. The system is locked up, like a rusty Tin Man with no oil."