The effects of global warming on marine environments are disastrous for the earth and all of its inhabitants – not just those living in the oceans and nearby. Already, the problem is leading to changes in the natural habitats and food web all marine species depend on, and it is contributing to the serious problem of ocean acidification. As time passes, complete destruction of the marine ecosystem is a real possibility if global warming is allowed to continue unchecked. As the saying goes, knowledge is power. In order to do anything about the problems our world is facing, we must first educate ourselves about the ways in which global warming is affecting marine life around the planet.
-
Marine life will not get the organic carbon and oxygen required for survival: If the normal temperature at the ocean’s surface rises, the key producers of organic carbon and oxygen in the ocean, phytoplankton and algae will vanish as they need cooler oceans to survive and thrive. Through photosynthesis, phytoplankton and algae produce organic carbon and oxygen which other marine species rely on – and these tiny organisms are the foundation of the food chain itsef. Adding to the problem, if ocean water is warmer, nutrients will not be able to travel up to the plankton, ultimately leading to their extinction and the death of all ocean animals.
-
New environment will not be conducive for marine species to flourish: The effects of global warming on marine life will lead to migration of marine species from the north to south and south to north, away from the equator. This mass migration will result in a new blend of marine species and a changed environment. This may also lead to change in the food and predatory habits of marine species. While some animals may thrive, other species may not be able to tolerate the new environment and will die off.
-
There will be change in marine species growth cycles: The effects of global warming on marine life will lead to changes in the growth cycles of marine species,as they will look for a suitable atmosphere in which to thrive. For example, phytoplankton, which need cooler ocean water, will start their growth cycle early, affecting the entire food chain in the sea and tipping it out of balance. Animals which come up to the ocean surface for food will not get nutrients during warm periods, leading to a non-synchronous marine environment.
-
Ocean acidification will increase: Ocean acidification will rise with the release of more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. More acidification will have a profoundly negative impact on the planet’s coral reefs, which serve as the key source of food and life in the ocean. Coral secretes calcium carbonate to form its skeleton, but this essential substance vanishes in the presence of more carbon dioxide and the resulting increased acid levels. Coral reefs are already showing signs of deterioration due to ocean acidification.
-
Rising temperatures lead to surging storms: Increasing temperature leads to more activity in the ocean’s currents, which in turn increases the intensity of storms and cyclones, hurricanes, and gales. High intensity storms are not just dangerous for marine life – they spread across the entire planet and, as we’ve seen in recent years, cause mass destruction to human settlements.
-
Coral bleaching rises: Coral reefs are sensitive to rising temperature; when it happens, they are prone to a disease called bleaching in which they expel the algae they need for nutrient production. If the temperature becomes too high and remains elevated for long, the corals die. Studies show during 1997 and 1998, high temperatures triggered record bleaching in most of the key tropical regions such as the Red Sea, the Pacific, the Persian Gulf, the India Ocean, the Caribbean and the Mediterranean. In parts of the Indian Ocean, studies found that about 90 per cent of coral died off due to high temperatures.
-
Global warming increases El Nino frequency: El Nino, which happens due to changes in atmospheric conditions over the Pacific, is a major threat to all marine environments and all species, including humanity. El Nino destroys coral reefs and kills fish species such as sardines, seals, sea lions and sea birds. Scientists say seals and sea lions suffered considerably during the most recent El Nino years as females did not find food near rookeries, causing them to dive deeper in search of food, which in turn lead to a drop in milk production and reduced pregnancy rates.
-
Higher temperatures diminish sea ice: Sea ice, which is the platform for many marine species such as penguins and polar bears, is melting in the Arctic and the Antarctic. This results in death of Penguins and seals as well as in the deaths of polar bears, which are apex predators that keep other populations healthy. This phenomenon is also leading to the migration of sea species, birds, amd butterflies.
-
Warmer temperatures affect marine species metabolism: The animals living in the oceans need specific conditions to thrive and survive. Pacific salmon, for example, need more food to survive in warm weather, as their bodies require more energy to maintain the right body temperature. Pacific sockeye and other salmon species will be at risk of extinction, as they are particularly vulnerable to increased temperature. According to a study, increased temperatures led to the mass die-off of the western Alaskan salmon populations during 1997-1998. Birds, fish, animals, and people rely on these fish for food, so it’s easy to see how even an isolated incident can cause a ripple effect through the food chain.
-
Surging temperatures lead to declining reproduction among marine species: Researchers have observed and established that warmer sea water in the US Pacific coast leads to lower reproduction and higher mortality among marine species such as seals, sea lions and sea birds. There has also been a decline in the birthrate among polar bears since the early 1980s; fur seals and stellar sea lions have also been affected, as have small forage fish, such as capelin, herring and larval fishes.
As you can see, the effects of global warming in marine life are wide-spread. Mostly caused by the emission of greenhouse gases from sources such as automobiles and factory farms, global warming has the potential to wipe out all life in the oceans, and in turn, to wipe out all life on earth. If we are to save ourselves and the rest of the life forms on this planet, we must do all we can to put a stop to global warming, beginning with reducing our own carbon footprints.