Article
Environmental Sciences
Claudio P. Gonzalez, Mario Edding, Fadia Tala, Rodrigo Torres, Patricio H. Manriquez
Summary: Understanding the effects of OA and warming trend on marine organisms, particularly on early reproductive traits, is vital for predicting their response to climate change. In this study, exposure to elevated pCO(2) and higher temperatures had significant impacts on the sorus photosynthetic performance and germination rate of meiospores in Lessonia trabeculata, indicating potential threats to the species' establishment and ecosystem functioning.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Silke Lischka, Michael J. J. Greenacre, Ulf Riebesell, Martin Graeve
Summary: Ocean warming and acidification pose a severe threat to pteropods in the Arctic by reducing their survival and causing the dissolution of their shells. Lipids, especially phospholipids, play a crucial role in the early-stage pteropods. Our experimental study shows that elevated temperatures and high CO2 concentrations lead to a significant decrease in total lipids, mainly due to the reduction of phospholipids. This reduction may compromise cell differentiation and energy balance in the early-stage larvae. The negative effects of warming on lipid metabolism may be a more immediate threat to pteropods than shell dissolution effects caused by acidification.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Eric Mortenson, Andrew Lenton, Elizabeth H. Shadwick, Thomas W. Trull, Matthew A. Chamberlain, Xuebin Zhang
Summary: The ocean serves as a major sink for anthropogenic heat and carbon, but the trajectories of heat and CO2 uptake diverge over the 21st century due to regional differences in physical and chemical drivers. Regional variations in heat-to-carbon uptake ratios will result in coherent regional patterns for sea surface warming and acidification by the end of this century.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ellen Vlaminck, Tom Moens, Ulrike Braeckman, Carl Van Colen
Summary: This study investigates the stimulating effects of ocean acidification and warming on the two key species (Abra alba and Lanice conchilega) and finds that they have different impacts on sediment biogeochemical cycling when environmental conditions change.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mikhael Clotilde S. Tanedo, Ronald D. Villanueva, Andrew F. Torres, Rachel Ravago-Gotanco, Maria Lourdes San Diego-McGlone
Summary: The study investigated the responses of Philippine coral reefs to ocean warming and acidification scenarios, finding that changes in seawater temperature and pH have significant impacts on the growth and photosynthetic efficiency of F. colemani. Despite experiencing declines in growth rate and zooxanthellae density, F. colemani showed sustained photosynthetic competency under near-future scenarios, indicating its ability to adapt and survive in changing ocean conditions.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Fisheries
Zi-Min Hu, Ti-Feng Shan, Jie Zhang, Quan-Sheng Zhang, Alan T. Critchley, Han-Gil Choi, Norishige Yotsukura, Fu-Li Liu, De-Lin Duan
Summary: China has the largest scale of kelp cultivation and production operations globally, but its kelp aquaculture industry is facing challenges such as genetic contamination, ocean warming, and acidification. This review outlines steps to improve the industry, including interventions like collecting and preserving kelp germplasm and developing stress-resistant cultivars, which could benefit environmental health and economic well-being in China, Japan, and Korea.
REVIEWS IN AQUACULTURE
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Lawrence Patrick C. Bernardo, Masahiko Fujii, Tsuneo Ono
Summary: This study developed an approach to evaluate and predict the combined effects of ocean acidification and deoxygenation on calcifying organisms along the coast of Japan. The model simulations suggest that global warming and ocean acidification may have significant impacts on calcifying organisms.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Tianyu Zhang, Yi Qu, Qianqian Zhang, Jia Tang, Ruiwen Cao, Zhijun Dong, Qing Wang, Jianmin Zhao
Summary: This study evaluated the effects of ocean acidification and warming on the herbivorous gastropod Trochus niloticus, showing that both factors can lead to physiological disturbances, impaired immune functions, oxidative balance, neurotoxicity, and disorder of energy metabolism. Integrated biomarker response confirmed that the overall fitness of T. niloticus was deleteriously impacted and more stressed under the co-exposure condition, indicating potential long-term impairments to the viability of T. niloticus in the future ocean, leading to degradation of coral reef ecosystems.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jonathan Y. S. Leung, Bayden D. Russell, Melinda A. Coleman, Brendan P. Kelaher, Sean D. Connell
Summary: Ocean warming is predicted to challenge marine organisms, especially when combined with ocean acidification. Thermal history determines the physiological adjustments of marine organisms to climate change, with warm-acclimated individuals conserving energy to adapt to warming. However, compensatory feeding disappears when warming is combined with ocean acidification.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jian Zhang, Qingsong Yang, Weizhong Yue, Bing Yang, Weiguo Zhou, Luxiang Chen, Xiaofang Huang, Wenqian Zhang, Junde Dong, Juan Ling
Summary: This study explores the impact of ocean warming and acidification on seagrass and its associated bacteria. The results show that the synergistic effect of ocean warming and acidification leads to decreased vitality and chlorophyll content in seagrass, while the associated bacteria exhibit higher resistance. This study contributes to our understanding of the interaction between seagrass and bacteria and provides insight into predicting and preserving seagrass meadow ecosystems in response to global climate change.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jiahui Zhong, Yingyan Guo, Zhe Liang, Quanting Huang, Hua Lu, Jinmei Pan, Peiyuan Li, Peng Jin, Jianrong Xia
Summary: The study found that ocean warming has a greater impact on the growth of marine diatom Thalassiosira weissflogii over long-term selection experiments compared to ocean acidification. Many temperature response traits were influenced by ocean warming, indicating that it is the main driver for the evolution of T. weissflogii. However, adaptations resulting from warming can be constrained by ocean acidification, leading to trade-offs in photochemical performances.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
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
Engineering, Marine
Munawar Khalil, Steve S. Doo, Marleen Stuhr, Hildegard Westphal
Summary: Ocean acidification and ocean warming affect the mineralogy and microstructure of starfish skeleton, with temperature being the major factor for magnesium content and pCO(2) having a more significant impact on skeletal microstructures.
JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Tanika C. Shalders, Curtis Champion, Kirsten Benkendorff, Tom Davis, Thomas Wernberg, Stephen Morris, Melinda A. Coleman
Summary: Ocean warming and extreme events have limited effects on the nutritional quality of seaweeds, but there are significant variations in nutritional quality between different species, which may have implications for energy transfer in food webs.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
J. I. Bertucci, J. Bellas
Summary: This study aimed to estimate the potential risk of the combined effect of global change factors and microplastic pollution on the growth and development of the sea urchin P. lividus. The results showed that exposure to decreased pH and microplastic caused a significant decrease in larval growth, while an increase in water temperature added additional stress, resulting in lower growth and altered development of the sea urchin larvae. The combined stress of ocean warming, acidification, and microplastic pollution may threaten sea urchin populations and have a potential impact on coastal ecosystems.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Jonathan Y. S. Leung, Ivan Nagelkerken, Jennifer C. A. Pistevos, Zonghan Xie, Sam Zhang, Sean D. Connell
Summary: Ocean acidification and warming have an impact on the mechanical properties of shark teeth, but when combined together, the durability of teeth increases. The teeth are mainly made of fluorapatite, with increased fluoride content under acidified seawater, which may enhance the durability of the teeth.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sharon S. W. Chan, Ho Tin Wong, Marine Thomas, Heidi K. Alleway, Boze Hancock, Bayden D. Russell
Summary: This study evaluated the biodiversity of an abandoned benthic oyster farm and found that it has significant ecological potential, supporting a greater diversity and biomass of benthic flora and fauna.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Jay J. Minuti, Maria Byrne, Hamish Campbell, Deevesh A. Hemraj, Bayden D. Russell
Summary: Rising ocean temperatures and extreme weather events can negatively impact marine life. However, research shows that offspring of sea urchins that have undergone heat conditioning exhibit faster growth and higher survival rates.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Rhyn W. Y. Cheung-Wong, James K. Dytnerski, Rinaldi Gotama, Deevesh A. Hemraj, Bayden D. Russell
Summary: This study surveyed the seasonal biomass and cover of subtidal macroalgal and sessile invertebrate communities in Hong Kong. The results showed that shallow assemblages were more influenced by environmental factors and exhibited seasonal patterns, while deeper communities had less biomass but were more stable across seasons. Oysters, barnacles, and live corals dominated the sessile invertebrate communities at both depths. This study establishes a baseline for assessing future changes in algal productivity and community composition.
ESTUARINE COASTAL AND SHELF SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Dominic McAfee, Brittany R. Williams, Lachlan McLeod, Andreas Reuter, Zak Wheaton, Sean D. Connell
Summary: Marine soundscapes play a crucial role in providing navigational cues for larvae searching for suitable habitats. A study conducted in Australia demonstrates that enriching marine soundscapes using speaker technology can significantly boost oyster recruitment and habitat formation. The use of speakers can influence the early recruitment of oysters, resulting in a larger number of large oysters that form three-dimensional habitats.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Rhyn W. Y. Cheung-Wong, Jonne Kotta, Deevesh A. Hemraj, Bayden D. Russell
Summary: Macroalgal forests play a vital role in coastal ecosystems globally, but the unique environmental conditions in climatic transition zones can limit their productivity and persistence. A study on a seaweed in Hong Kong showed that it had the highest growth in cooler conditions but surprisingly had the highest photosynthetic rates in summer, after a period of senescence and dormancy. This discrepancy may enable the seaweed to withstand higher temperatures, resisting predicted range shifts due to ocean warming. However, other seaweeds in climatic transition zones may face shorter growth seasons, longer dormancy, and reduced biomass production, potentially reducing the overall productivity of these algal forests.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Patrick W. S. Joyce, Laura J. Falkenberg
Summary: This study examined microplastic abundance in three co-existing mussel species in four sites in Hong Kong, with the highest microplastic abundance found in Perna viridis. The study also found that the majority of observed microplastics were red in color, and the proportion of microplastic colors varied among species and sites. These findings highlight the need for further research on the potential impacts of microplastic ingestion on ecologically important bivalve species.
REGIONAL STUDIES IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Laura J. Falkenberg, Patrick W. S. Joyce
Summary: Internationalisation of curriculum enhances graduate awareness of global issues and facilitates sustainable development. This study investigates the application of internationalisation at home through the use of contemporary media in the Global Change Biology course at The Chinese University of Hong Kong. The results show a positive response from students, who reported increased knowledge confidence about climate change and a willingness to adapt sustainably.
Article
Ecology
Deevesh Ashley Hemraj, Laura J. Falkenberg, Khan Cheung, Lauren Man, Alessia Carini, Bayden D. Russell
Summary: Reef building oysters provide ecological benefits and ecosystem services, but the impact of changing environmental conditions on their microbial communities and ecological role is unclear. In this study, oysters were exposed to acidification and hypoxia, resulting in physiological stress, changes in microbial community structure, and potential nutrient cycling loss. These findings suggest that the oyster holobiont may experience negative effects under hypoxia and multi-stressor conditions.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Education & Educational Research
Polly Y. Y. Chik, Jessica S. C. Leung, Susan M. Bridges, Gray A. Williams, Bayden D. Russell, Christelle A. Not
Summary: Affective engagement is crucial for promoting pro-environmental behaviors in environmental education. This case study examined the affective engagement of secondary school students during an ecology field trip, using POV camera glasses and student reflections. The findings revealed that students' interest and curiosity in nature and their desire to protect nature varied. There was a complex relationship between interest in nature, motivation to learn, environmental consciousness, and the ability to take action. Future research should explore why students feel the way they do and how affective learning outcomes are achieved in outdoor settings.
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Giulia Ghedini, Dustin J. Marshall
Summary: Competition drives rapid evolution, which affects the trajectory of ecological communities. Metabolic theory provides predictions for the evolution of metabolism and size under competition, but remains untested in eukaryotes. Experimental evolution of a eukaryotic microalga shows that the species evolves according to the predictions of metabolic theory, reducing metabolic costs and maximizing population carrying capacity through changes in cell size. Furthermore, the evolution of metabolic plasticity enables rapid co-evolution with competition, resulting in improvements in population growth rate and carrying capacity.
Article
Ecology
Brittany R. Williams, Dominic McAfee, Sean D. Connell
Summary: This study combines ecological knowledge and novel acoustic technology to enhance oyster recruitment in reef restoration. By broadcasting healthy reef soundscapes and introducing artificial kelp, the combination of acoustic enrichment and artificial kelp increases oyster recruitment to both the topside and underside of the substrate. These findings provide insight into the potential value of combining multiple techniques to kick-start the recovery of lost oyster reefs.
RESTORATION ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Alissa V. V. Bass, Laura J. J. Falkenberg
Summary: Tropical seagrasses show different responses to marine heatwaves, with one species exhibiting increased tolerance and the other experiencing changes in epiphyte cover that may affect the food chain. These findings are crucial for the conservation of marine ecosystems and species.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Ecology
John Terenzini, Yiqian Li, Laura J. Falkenberg
Summary: Jellyfish are important organisms in marine ecosystems, and their occurrence and diversity in Hong Kong's coastal waters have been underestimated. The Hong Kong Jellyfish Project uses citizen science to gather observations of jellyfish, resulting in the discovery of 19 species, including two previously undocumented ones. The observations also reveal a seasonal trend and a broad geographical distribution of jellyfish in Hong Kong's waters.
REGIONAL STUDIES IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
John Terenzini, Sheldon Rey Boco, Laura J. Falkenberg
Summary: The Hong Kong Jellyfish Project utilizes photos and videos from citizen scientists to document jellyfish occurrences in the region. This research identified two previously unrecorded box jellyfish species, Malo filipina (Bentlage & Lewis, 2012) and an unidentified species of Morbakka sp. Gershwin, 2008, in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China. Understanding the current distribution of these species is important due to their potential impacts on human activities and local ecosystems.