University of Adelaide researchers have for the first time demonstrated that the ocean acidification expected in the future will reduce fish diversity significantly, with small ‘weedy’ species dominating marine environments.
University of Adelaide researchers have for the first time demonstrated that the ocean acidification expected in the future will reduce fish diversity significantly, with small ‘weedy’ species dominating marine environments.
Published today in Current Biology, the researchers studied species interactions in natural marine environments at underwater volcanic vents, where concentrations of CO2 match those predicted for oceans at the end of the century. They were compared with adjacent marine environments with current CO2 levels.
“Most research on the impacts of climate change has so far involved the study of individual or small numbers of species over short periods of time,” says project leader Professor Ivan Nagelkerken, marine ecologist in the University’s Environment Institute.
“From these studies, there have been predictions that fish biodiversity would be reduced – but we’ve never been able to provide firm evidence before.
Read more at University of Adelaide
