<
https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/environment/warming-seas-threaten-key-phytoplankton-species-that-fuels-the-food-web-study-finds/>
"SEATTLE (AP) — For decades, scientists believed
Prochlorococcus, the
smallest and most abundant phytoplankton on Earth, would thrive in a warmer
world. But new research suggests the microscopic bacterium, which forms the
foundation of the marine food web and helps regulate the planet’s climate, will
decline sharply as seas heat up.
A study published Monday in the journal
Nature Microbiology found
Prochlorococcus populations could shrink by as much as half in tropical
oceans over the next 75 years if surface waters exceed about 82 degrees
Fahrenheit (27.8 Celsius). Many tropical and subtropical sea surface
temperatures are already trending above average and are projected to regularly
surpass 86 degrees Fahrenheit (30 Celsius) over that same period.
“These are keystone species — very important ones,” said François Ribalet, a
research associate professor at the University of Washington’s School of
Oceanography and the study’s lead author. “And when a keystone species
decreases in abundance, it always has consequences on ecology and biodiversity.
The food web is going to change.”"
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
