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In a fast-paced world where climate change and environmental degradation are dominant topics, we can often forget about our planet’s smallest marine creatures, planktonic foraminifera. A newly published
In a fast-paced world where climate change and environmental degradation are dominant topics, we can often forget about our planet’s smallest marine creatures, planktonic foraminifera. A newly published study reminds us of their importance and why we should pay attention to these tiny marine organisms.
Planktonic foraminifera are small single-celled organisms that live in the ocean. They bear shells made of calcium carbonate, a critical component for the overall health and functioning of our marine ecosystems. But they are now facing unprecedented environmental conditions due to climate change, potentially exceeding the threshold for survival by the end of this century.
These organisms are not just witnesses to environmental changes; Their existence, especially in tropical regions, is under threat. Changing environmental conditions, especially climate change, can trigger a wave of extinctions that will negatively affect marine ecosystems and the oceans’ ability to store carbon.
How did we learn about these dramatic changes and their possible consequences? Scientists from France, Germany, the Netherlands, Japan and Spain joined forces to conduct a comprehensive study. Experts analyzed nearly 200,000 data sets dating back to 1910 to investigate how climate change is affecting these small but vital creatures.
The findings were alarming, to say the least. Many foraminifera species migrate poleward in pursuit of colder waters, with migration speeds of up to 10 kilometers per year (6.21 miles per year). Some species are trying to escape rising surface temperatures by going deeper into the ocean.
Despite their best efforts to adapt and survive, foraminiferal populations have declined by a staggering 25% in the last 80 years. Tropical species are most affected because intense warming in these regions disrupts their reproductive cycles.
But the difficulties do not end there. Rising CO2 levels and ocean acidification also inhibit the formation of calcium carbonate (CaCO3), the substance these creatures use to build their shells.
Why should we care about these tiny shells? There is an important reason.
“These organisms are like sentinels that warn us of the severe effects of warming and acidification in marine ecosystems,” said Sonia Chaabane, lead author of the study and a researcher at CEREGE and the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry.
When foraminifera die, their empty shells sink to the seafloor, trapping carbon in the process. Thus, as mussel production decreases, the carbon stored in the ocean depths also decreases. This signals troubled times ahead as it will disrupt the ocean carbon cycle, a critical aspect of global climate regulation.
Our understanding of the complex interactions between climate and marine ecosystems should not be limited to single measurements. Ralf Schiebel from the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry suggests instead that bioindicators such as foraminifera can give us a more complete picture.
Current trends offer a sobering view of a future in which the complex balance of marine ecosystems will be severely disrupted. If deterioration of conditions for planktonic foraminifera is not stopped, cascading effects could destabilize the entire marine food web.
Species higher up the food chain, including those vital for human consumption, will face great pressure as their primary food sources decline.
Scientists and policymakers are now emphasizing the need to drastically reduce carbon emissions and implement conservation practices to reduce further environmental impacts. There is hope to reverse these disturbing trends through international cooperation and commitment to sustainable practices.
While this research is alarming, it also highlights the enormous potential of studying marine microorganisms as a way to understand and combat the effects of climate change. Planktonic foraminifera offer insights beyond their direct ecological role as part of the ocean’s biological community.
They serve as a proxy for understanding historical climate patterns and predicting future changes in environmental conditions. Participation in these studies promotes a broader understanding of Earth’s biodiversity and its interrelationships. The study was published in the journal Nature.
Source: Port Altele
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