Article
Environmental Sciences
Joan M. Bernhard, Johannes C. Wit, Victoria R. Starczak, David J. Beaudoin, William G. Phalen, Daniel C. McCorkle
Summary: Ocean chemistry is changing due to human activities, with increasing CO2 concentrations causing ocean acidification and oxygen depletion. Research shows that hypoxia is the major driving factor, with warming being secondary, and different foraminiferal species exhibit varied responses to these stressors.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Review
Environmental Sciences
George Hoppit, Daniela N. Schmidt
Summary: Climate change is impacting organisms in the world ocean, including European seas. The response of benthic organisms to ocean acidification and warming varies, with calcifying organisms being at risk in European waters.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Thibault de Garidel-Thoron, Sonia Chaabane, Xavier Giraud, Julie Meilland, Lukas Jonkers, Michal Kucera, Geert-Jan A. Brummer, Maria Grigoratou, Fanny M. Monteiro, Mattia Greco, P. Graham Mortyn, Azumi Kuroyanagi, Helene Howa, Gregory Beaugrand, Ralf Schiebel
Summary: Planktonic Foraminifera are marine protozoa that secrete calcareous shells, which provide a geological record of past changes in their community structure. The FORCIS project aims to create a global database to analyze the distribution and turnover of these organisms.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biology
Sara Gonzalez-Delgado, Owen S. Wangensteen, Carlos Sangil, Celso A. Hernandez, Beatriz Alfonso, Ana Z. Soto, Rocio Perez-Portela, Stefano Mariani, Jose Carlos Hernandez
Summary: Metabarcoding techniques have revolutionized ecological research by revealing hidden biodiversity. This study used DNA metabarcoding to assess the effects of ocean acidification on marine benthic communities. The results show that subtropical communities are expected to maintain high biodiversity levels under future ocean acidification.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Chuan Zhai, Yantao Liang, Hao Yu, Yan Ji, Xuechao Chen, Min Wang, Andrew McMinn
Summary: In this study, a 28-day CO2 enhancement experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of ocean acidification on benthic biofilms in intertidal soft sediments. The results showed that the 1000 ppm CO2 treatment significantly altered the biofilm community composition and microbial biogeochemical cycling in sandy sediments. This suggests that benthic biofilms in intertidal sandy sediments are likely to change significantly near the end of the century if anthropogenic CO2 emissions are not mitigated, which has profound implications on local ecosystems and biogeochemical cycling.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Sven Uthicke, Frances Patel, Chelsea Petrik, Sue-Ann Watson, Sam E. Karelitz, Miles D. Lamare
Summary: Long-term experimental investigations on the transgenerational plasticity (TGP) and transgenerational acclimatization to global change in marine invertebrates are sparse. The study revealed significant effects of ocean warming and acidification on sea urchins, with offspring from near-future climate conditions displaying smaller size and reduced physiological functions. The experiment also showed potential for genetic adaptation in surviving individuals after a pathogenic event, but raised concerns about negative parental effects and reduced population replenishment.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ellen Vlaminck, Tom Moens, Jan Vanaverbeke, Carl Van Colen
Summary: This study investigated the physiological response of the white furrow shell to different pH environments and its impact on ecosystem functioning. The results showed that at pH levels around 7.7, the shell's respiration and calcification rates decreased, energy intake reduced, and metabolic losses increased, leading to a decreased growth potential and weakened body condition.
MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Dorsaf Kerfahi, Ben P. Harvey, Hyoki Kim, Ying Yang, Jonathan M. Adams, Jason M. Hall-Spencer
Summary: Plastics are accumulating and ocean waters are acidifying due to increased CO2. The metagenomic analysis of biofilms on plastic bottles in subtidal waters off Japan revealed significant changes in both the functional and taxonomic composition of the plastisphere, particularly the diatom group. These findings have potential implications for ocean ecology.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Victoria J. Cole, Laura M. Parker, Elliot Scanes, John Wright, Lauren Barnett, Pauline M. Ross
Summary: This study demonstrates that climate-driven changes from one mussel species to another can have significant impacts on infaunal communities, with elevated pCO2 and warming affecting the growth of native versus introduced mussels, as well as influencing infaunal colonization patterns.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2021)
Review
Engineering, Marine
Emanuele Somma, Antonio Terlizzi, Maria Costantini, Madalena Madeira, Valerio Zupo
Summary: The successions of benthic communities are influenced by the first colonizers, such as bacteria, diatoms, and invertebrate larvae. The process is dynamic and can be affected by global warming and ocean acidification. However, the impact of these global stressors on benthic ecosystems is still poorly understood.
JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Michael Lintner, Bianca Lintner, Michael Schagerl, Wolfgang Wanek, Petra Heinz
Summary: We studied the metabolic activity of Heterostegina depressa under different light conditions. The photosynthetic performance and isotope uptake of the specimens were measured. Light supply significantly affected the photosynthetic performance, while the photosymbionts and holobionts could survive and be reactivated after prolonged darkness. The assimilation of C-13-carbonate and N-15-nitrate is mainly controlled by the photosymbionts, while N-15-ammonium and C-13-glucose utilization is regulated by both the symbiont and the host cells.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Michael Tangherlini, Cinzia Corinaldesi, Francesca Ape, Silvestro Greco, Teresa Romeo, Franco Andaloro, Roberto Danovaro
Summary: This study compared benthic microbial responses at naturally acidified sites with different acidification sources and pH values. It found that viral life strategies shift in acidified conditions, leading to reduced impact on prokaryotic communities and a shift towards (chemo)autotrophic assemblages with lower organic matter consumption. Overall, ocean acidification exerts significant control on microbial benthic assemblages, with important feedbacks on ecosystem functioning.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Diksha Sharma, Haimanti Biswas, Mintu Chowdhury, Saumya Silori, Medhavi Pandey, Durbar Ray
Summary: Understanding phytoplankton community shifts under multiple stressors is crucial for studying marine ecosystems. However, there is limited research on the interactive impacts of copper and CO2 enrichment on phytoplankton in the Arabian Sea. This study found that low dissolved silicate concentration favored smaller diatoms and non-diatom species, while CO2 enrichment had both positive and negative effects on phytoplankton growth. The addition of copper hindered cell division in most species, but did not significantly affect chlorophyll content. Interestingly, CO2 enrichment seemed to alleviate copper toxicity in some species and increased their growth rates. Dinoflagellates were more sensitive to copper supply compared to diatoms and prymnesiophytes. These community shifts may have implications for trophic transfer and carbon cycling in the region.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Lauric Feugere, Lauren Angell, James Fagents, Rebecca Nightingale, Kirsty Rowland, Saffiyah Skinner, Jorg Hardege, Helga Bartels-Hardege, Katharina C. Wollenberg Valero
Summary: This study found that marine animals exhibit behavioral impairments and avoidance responses when exposed to pH drop and stress metabolites, which can be interpreted as a behavioral cost. Further research is needed to confirm the effect size of the behavioral impairments caused by stress metabolites and to characterize their chemical nature.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
J. E. Rheuban, P. R. Gassett, D. C. McCorkle, C. W. Hunt, M. Liebman, C. Bastidas, K. O'Brien-Clayton, A. R. Pimenta, E. Silva, P. Vlahos, R. J. Woosley, J. Ries, C. M. Liberti, J. Grear, J. Salisbury, D. C. Brady, K. Guay, M. LaVigne, A. L. Strong, E. Stancioff, E. Turner
Summary: Comprehensive sampling of the carbonate system in estuaries and coastal waters can be challenging due to the complex nature of near-shore environments. The success of the 'Shell Day' event suggests that community science programs can effectively collect TA samples for high-quality analyses. Geographic heterogeneity in both mean and tidal variability in TA was observed, implying that localized predictions may be more accurate than regional ones.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2021)
Review
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Kristy J. Kroeker, Eric Sanford
Summary: As marine ecosystems face increasing impacts from global environmental changes, focusing on physiology research can enhance our ability to predict the effects of ocean change, particularly in understanding species interactions and ecological leverage points sensitive to environmental changes.
ANNUAL REVIEW OF MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
L. Hernandez-Terrones, L. Martinez, J. Szamotulski, E. Gonzalez-Partida, J. V. Morgan, C. M. Lowery, S. P. S. Gulick, M. Rebolledo-Vieyra, D. Kring
Summary: The aim of this study is to evaluate fluid circulation and determine the composition of hydrothermal fluids in the Chicxulub crater after the impact. The results show that the temperature and composition of the fluids changed as they migrated through the crater rocks, and post-impact fluid circulation modified the temperature distribution.
APPLIED GEOCHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Emily M. Donham, Lauren T. Strope, Scott L. Hamilton, Kristy J. Kroeker
Summary: Understanding the effects of upwelling on marine organisms is crucial due to ongoing environmental changes. This study used in-situ measurements to characterize the relationship between upwelling intensity and environmental conditions in kelp forest ecosystems. The researchers found that increasing upwelling intensity resulted in reduced respiratory, grazing, growth, and net calcification rates for certain kelp forest grazers. These findings suggest that current exposure to upwelling may reduce species performance and future increases in upwelling frequency and intensity could impact ecosystem function.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biology
Torrey R. Gorra, Sabrina C. R. Garcia, Michael R. Langhans, Umihiko Hoshijima, James A. Estes, Pete T. Raimondi, M. Tim Tinker, Michael C. Kenner, Kristy J. Kroeker
Summary: Recognizing that humans are part of the complex interaction networks we study can provide new insights into ecological paradigms. This study examines the effects of human harvesting on otter-urchin-kelp trophic cascades in southeast Alaska, using three decades of time-series data.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Juhyung Lee, Brent B. Hughes, Kristy J. Kroeker, Ava Owens, Candace Wong, Fiorenza Micheli
Summary: Global stressors are impacting ecosystem resistance and functioning by reorganizing vital species interactions. Different species show varied responses to stressors, which can have significant consequences on ecosystem dynamics.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Juhyung Lee, Maria Cristina Gambi, Kristy J. Kroeker, Marco Munari, Kabir Peay, Fiorenza Micheli
Summary: This study examines the impact of ocean acidification on seagrass decomposition in a naturally acidified seagrass ecosystem. The results show that acidification reduces the richness and diversity of seagrass detritivores, but increases the abundance of dominant detritivores. These changes lead to a more than threefold increase in detritivore abundance in lower pH zones, and acidification accelerates the decomposition of seagrass detritus. The findings suggest that ocean acidification can restructure consumer assemblages and modify plant decomposition in blue carbon ecosystems, with implications for carbon sequestration, nutrient recycling, and trophic transfer.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2022)
Editorial Material
Environmental Sciences
Aurora M. Ricart, Melissa Ward, Tessa M. Hill, Eric Sanford, Kristy J. Kroeker, Yuihiro Takeshita, Sarah Merolla, Priya Shukla, Aaron T. Ninokawa, Kristen Elsmore, Brian Gaylord
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jason A. Toy, Kristy J. Kroeker, Cheryl A. Logan, Yuichiro Takeshita, Gary C. Longo, Giacomo Bernardi
Summary: This study reveals the neurological impacts of acidification on a temperate fish species and suggests that natural environmental variability may mitigate the effects of ocean acidification.
Article
Plant Sciences
Lauren E. Bell, Kristy J. Kroeker
Summary: This study investigated the production dynamics of giant kelp beds in high latitude fringe habitats in southeast Alaska, finding that the productivity rates were lower compared to lower latitudes. Despite the higher productivity of giant kelp compared to understory kelps, differences in growth and carbon and nitrogen content among the three kelp species suggest their complementary nutritional value.
JOURNAL OF PHYCOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ellen Willis-Norton, Mark H. Carr, Elliott L. Hazen, Kristy J. Kroeker
Summary: Early life history stages of marine fishes are more vulnerable to environmental stressors than adult stages. This study focused on lingcod, a benthic egg layer, and found that future temperature, pH, and dissolved oxygen conditions significantly reduced the successful hatch, larval size, yolk reserves, and caused wide-ranging deformities. Lingcod could serve as an indicator species for other benthic egg layers affected by global change.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Benjamin S. Halpern, Carl Boettiger, Michael C. Dietze, Jessica A. Gephart, Patrick Gonzalez, Nancy B. Grimm, Peter M. Groffman, Jessica Gurevitch, Sarah E. Hobbie, Kimberly J. Komatsu, Kristy J. Kroeker, Heather J. Lahr, David M. Lodge, Christopher J. Lortie, Julie S. S. Lowndes, Fiorenza Micheli, Hugh P. Possingham, Mary H. Ruckelshaus, Courtney Scarborough, Chelsea L. Wood, Grace C. Wu, Lina Aoyama, Eva E. Arroyo, Christie A. Bahlai, Erin E. Beller, Rachael E. Blake, Karrigan S. Bork, Trevor A. Branch, Norah E. M. Brown, Julien Brun, Emilio M. Bruna, Lauren B. Buckley, Jessica L. Burnett, Max C. N. Castorani, Samantha H. Cheng, Sarah C. Cohen, Jessica L. Couture, Larry B. Crowder, Laura E. Dee, Arildo S. Dias, Ignacio J. Diaz-Maroto, Martha R. Downs, Joan C. Dudney, Erle C. Ellis, Kyle A. Emery, Jacob G. Eurich, Bridget E. Ferriss, Alexa Fredston, Hikaru Furukawa, Sara A. Gagne, Sarah R. Garlick, Colin J. Garroway, Kaitlyn M. Gaynor, Angelica L. Gonzalez, Eliza M. Grames, Tamar Guy-Haim, Ed Hackett, Lauren M. Hallett, Tamara K. Harms, Danielle E. Haulsee, Kyle J. Haynes, Elliott L. Hazen, Rebecca M. Jarvis, Kristal Jones, Gaurav S. Kandlikar, Dustin W. Kincaid, Matthew L. Knope, Anil Koirala, Jurek Kolasa, John S. Kominoski, Julia Koricheva, Lesley T. Lancaster, Jake A. Lawlor, Heili E. Lowman, Frank E. Muller-Karger, Kari E. A. Norman, Nan Nourn, Casey C. O'Hara, Suzanne X. Ou, Jacqueline L. Padilla-Gamino, Paula Pappalardo, Ryan A. Peek, Dominique Pelletier, Stephen Plont, Lauren C. Ponisio, Cristina Portales-Reyes, Diogo B. Provete, Eric J. Raes, Carlos Ramirez-Reyes, Irene Ramos, Sydne Record, Anthony J. Richardson, Roberto Salguero-Gomez, Erin Satterthwaite, Chloe Schmidt, Aaron J. Schwartz, Craig R. See, Brendan D. Shea, Rachel S. Smith, Eric R. Sokol, Christopher T. Solomon, Trisha Spanbauer, Paris Stefanoudis, Beckett W. Sterner, Vitor Sudbrack, Jonathan D. Tonkin, Ashley R. Townes, Mireia Valle, Jonathan A. Walter, Kathryn Wheeler, William R. Wieder, David R. Williams, Marten Winter, Barbora Winterova, Lucy C. Woodall, Adam S. Wymore, Casey Youngflesh
Summary: Synthesis research in ecology and environmental science is important for improving understanding, advancing theory, identifying research priorities, and supporting management strategies. A virtual workshop with participants from different countries and disciplines was held to discuss how synthesis can address key questions and themes in the field in the next decade. Seven priority research topics and two issues regarding synthesis practices were identified, providing a strategic vision for future synthesis in ecology and environmental science.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Emily M. Donham, Iris Flores, Alexis Hooper, Evan O'Brien, Kate Vylet, Yuichiro Takeshita, Jan Freiwald, Kristy J. Kroeker
Summary: Variation in environmental conditions across a species' range can affect their responses to environmental change through local adaptation and acclimation. However, ecosystems with tightly coupled environmental conditions may pose challenges for evolutionary responses, particularly when changes in environmental covariance occur. This study conducted a 3-month long mesocosm experiment and found evidence of local adaptation/acclimation in red sea urchin populations to multiple environmental drivers, but with different responses to projected changes. The results highlight the potential for local adaptation/acclimation to multivariate environmental regimes and the importance of identifying physiological thresholds in key environmental drivers for preserving biodiversity and ecosystem functioning.
Article
Ecology
Cascade J. B. Sorte, Kristy J. J. Kroeker, Luke P. P. Miller, Matthew E. S. Bracken
Summary: Biological processes have a significant impact on how global changes are manifested locally. The absorption of increased CO2 by primary producers through photosynthesis affects the pH in aquatic ecosystems, but respiration by producers and consumers also leads to increased CO2. It is uncertain whether the biological modification of pH varies throughout the year and what factors contribute to temporal differences. This study examined tide pool ecosystems in Alaska over two years and found that pH modification varied spatially and temporally, with patterns corresponding to changes in dissolved oxygen and community composition.
Article
Limnology
Kristy J. Kroeker, Emily M. Donham, Kate Vylet, Joseph K. Warren, Julia Cheresh, Jerome Fiechter, Jan Freiwald, Yuichiro Takeshita
Summary: In upwelling systems, fluctuations in seawater pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), and temperature can lead to exposure to extreme conditions for marine species. This study characterized the variability and covariance among these drivers using a time series of observations and a simulation for the California coast. It found that sites with strong upwelling had the greatest intensity and duration of exposure to extreme pH and DO conditions, while sites with weak upwelling had higher and more variable temperature.
LIMNOLOGY AND OCEANOGRAPHY
(2023)
Review
Ecology
Melissa Ward, Tye L. Kindinger, Heidi K. Hirsh, Tessa M. Hill, Brittany M. Jellison, Sarah Lummis, Emily B. Rivest, George G. Waldbusser, Brian Gaylord, Kristy J. Kroeker
Summary: This study synthesizes the results from 56 studies on seagrass meadow metabolism and highlights the spatial and temporal variability in oxygen fluxes. The study finds that daytime net community production is generally positive and similar across seasons and geographies. The study also observes positive correlations between gross primary production and temperature, but these effects may vary between temperate and tropical ecosystems.