A recent study published in the journal Trends in Ecology and Evolution reveals that rising sea temperatures, attributed to climate change, are compelling tropical marine species to migrate towards the poles. Simultaneously, temperate species are retracting due to increased competition for habitat and the emergence of new predators, marking a phenomenon termed “tropicalisation.”
The extensive research, coincidentally released at the onset of COP28 in Dubai, sheds light on the ecological upheaval in oceans. The mass migration of marine life is not only transforming ecosystems but is also expected to have profound consequences for biodiversity and potentially impact the global economy.
Climate change has altered crucial factors influencing species dispersal, such as ocean currents that separate tropical/subtropical and temperate regions. The warming of warm-water boundary currents at a faster rate than the global seawater average is facilitating the movement of species towards the poles and contributing to the retraction of temperate species.
The Mediterranean Sea is identified as a “tropicalisation hotspot,” with a surge in tropical species. Karolina Zarzyczny, a researcher at the University of Southampton and lead author of the study, emphasizes the far-reaching ecological and evolutionary consequences of tropicalisation, which may alter global diversity patterns.
The study, based on an extensive review of literature from the past two decades, aims to highlight the gaps in understanding the long-term evolutionary consequences of diverse species coexisting. Suzanne Williams, Scientific Associate at the Natural History Museum, UK, and co-author of the paper, notes the lack of comprehension regarding the evolutionary outcomes when new species inhabit the same environment.
The intricate interplay between ecology and evolution is evident, as altered species interactions may lead to the development of new traits or behaviors. For instance, a recent study from the University of Southampton showcases temperate volcano barnacles adapting to fend off tropical predators along the Baja California peninsula in Mexico.
The researchers also note instances of range-expanding tropical damselfishes and temperate reef fishes adjusting their feeding and social behaviors for coexistence. The findings underscore the urgency of addressing climate change and its cascading effects on marine life, urging global policymakers at COP28 to take decisive action to mitigate the impact of global warming.
Also Read: Tracing The Legacy of Jharokha: An Architectural Marvel Steeped In History
