New publication from the European Ocean Observing Community with urgent gaps and recommendations to implement during the UN Ocean Decade
The European Ocean Observing Community (EOOC) contributes to observing, analyzing, and forecasting marine phenomena across coastal and open-ocean settings, spanning shallow to deep ocean layers. With the world undergoing rapid changes, addressing gaps in ocean observation is crucial for supporting climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies, marine resource management, and ecosystem resilience.
Key Findings
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Temperature Rise and Species Distribution: The study highlights a significant shift in the distribution of marine species, with many migrating towards cooler waters. This shift not only affects the species themselves but also has cascading effects on the ecosystems they leave behind and those they migrate into.
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Ocean Acidification: Increased CO2 levels are leading to more acidic oceans, which severely impacts calcifying organisms such as corals and shellfish. The decline in these species affects the broader food web, including species that rely on them for food or habitat.
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Impact on Fisheries: The research underscores the challenges faced by global fisheries. As species migrate and populations fluctuate, traditional fishing grounds are becoming less reliable, threatening food security and livelihoods, especially in coastal communities.
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Coral Reefs in Peril: Coral reefs, which are biodiversity hotspots, are particularly vulnerable to both warming waters and acidification. The study details the decline in coral health and its implications for the myriad species that depend on reefs for survival.
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Ecosystem Function Disruption: The alteration in species composition and distribution affects ecosystem functions, such as nutrient cycling, primary production, and carbon sequestration. This disruption could have long-term impacts on ocean health and its ability to support life.
Read the full article here.
This article is a product of the Task 1.5 of the EuroSea project, entitled “Gap analysis of European Ocean Observing and Forecasting System”. This task was led by GEOMAR Helmholtz-Zentrum für Ozeanforschung Kiel in partnership with UNESCO Ocean.
