A new study highlights how some marine life could face extinction over the next century, if human-induced global warming worsens.
A new study highlights how some marine life could face extinction over the next century, if human-induced global warming worsens.
The research, led by the University of Bristol and published today [13 November] in Nature, compares for the first time how tiny ocean organisms called plankton responded, when the world last warmed significantly in ancient history with what is likely to happen under similar conditions by the end of our century.
Findings revealed the plankton were unable to keep pace with the current speed of temperature rises, putting huge swathes of marine life – including fish which depend on these organisms for food – in peril.
Lead author Dr Rui Ying, who led the project as part of his PhD in marine ecology at the University of Bristol, said: “The results are alarming as even with the more conservative climate projections of a 2°C increase, it is clear plankton cannot adjust quickly enough to match the much faster rate of warming which we’re experiencing now and looks set to continue.
Read more at University of Bristol
Image: Image shows a type of plankton called Foraminifer – microscopic organisms, the size of a grain of sand – which float with fellow microorganisms close to the surface of the ocean. (Credit: Bernat Heszler, University of Bristol)
