In a paper recently published in Global Change Biology, an international team of scientists found that more than 70 percent of the most diverse ocean regions are threatened due to warming water.
“Our research shows that locations with exceptionally high marine biodiversity are the most exposed to future oceanic warming, making them particularly vulnerable to 21st century climatic change,” explained study lead author Dr. Stuart Brown from the University of Adelaide’s Environment Institute.
“This is because species living in these biodiverse regions are generally ill-equipped to respond to large changes in temperature.”
Using past ocean warming rates and predicted rates, researchers determined where plants and animals would need to migrate to survive.
“In many cases this will require moving distances beyond the oceanic regions that these species evolved in and are adapted to, at rates of movement rarely seen for marine life,” said Dr. Brown.
“While we have known for some years that recent human-induced climate change is affecting marine life through shifts in species distributions and abundances, the spatial pattern of exposure to past and future fast rates of ocean warming has been unclear,” said study co-author Damien Fordham.
“By showing that areas of high marine biodiversity are disproportionately exposed to future warming, our results provide important new information for deriving and strengthening conservation actions to safeguard marine biodiversity under climate change.”
People have a lot to lose, and so do other animals. The most at-risk areas are home to coral reefs that provide manatee and fish habitats. Reefs also buffer our coasts from the ravages of intense storms.
According to Fordham, we must start thinking about how we will negotiate warming oceans and biodiversity.
“Actions that strengthen ecological and evolutionary resilience to climate change should be a priority. These could include improving fisheries management, assisting the movement of species, and the expansion of well-managed, climate-smart marine protected areas.”
—
By Erin Moody , Earth.com Staff Writer
Wise (formerly TransferWise) is the cheaper, easier way to send money abroad. It helps people move money quickly and easily between bank accounts in different countries. Convert 60+ currencies with ridiculously low fees - on average 7x cheaper than a bank. No hidden fees, no markup on the exchange rate, ever.
Now you can get a free first transfer up to 500£ with your ESNcard. You can access this offer here.
How to access the offer?
1-
Click here
2- Select “Register''
3- Enter your email address, create a password, and
select your country of residence
4- Fill out the required personal
information, and the free first transfer offer will be applied automatically.
Benefits of the Multi-Currency Account:
- Free
to create online
- Hold 50+ currencies
- Get multiple local bank
details in one account (including EU, UK, US)
- Convert currency at the
real exchange rate, even on weekends
- Spend whilst travelling on the
Wise debit card without high conversion fees
Wise
International Transfers:
- $1.5 billion saved by customers every
year
- Send money to over 60 target currencies
- Lower fees for
larger transfers
- No hidden fees. No bad exchange rates. No surprises.
- Send your money with a bank transfer, or a debit or credit card
Source link
