Tropical herbivores are on the move and that could spell trouble for subtropical seagrass meadows.
Tropical herbivores are on the move and that could spell trouble for subtropical seagrass meadows.
As the ocean warms, marine species often travel poleward in search of suitable habitats and food. This phenomenon, known as tropicalization, can expand the range of tropical herbivores such as sea turtles and manatees — which prefer warmer waters — to subtropical regions that have historically supported few marine herbivores.
A new study published this month in Nature Ecology & Evolution describes how subtropical seagrasses are at risk as tropical herbivores move in response to warming oceans.
“Ocean warming poses multiple threats to marine ecosystems,” said Tom Frazer, co-author of the study, and professor and dean of the USF College of Marine Science. “Seagrass meadows, which provide forage for herbivores and nursery habitat for many recreational and commercially important fishery species, are already threatened by degraded water quality. This study suggests that the tropicalization of marine ecosystems in response to warming temperatures could further contribute to the decline of these vital habitats.”
Read more at University of South Florida
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