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Marine heatwaves threaten global biodiversity and the provision of ecosystem services

Author

Listed:
  • Dan A. Smale

    (The Laboratory, Citadel Hill
    The University of Western Australia)

  • Thomas Wernberg

    (The University of Western Australia)

  • Eric C. J. Oliver

    (Dalhousie University
    University of Tasmania
    University of Tasmania)

  • Mads Thomsen

    (University of Canterbury, Private Bag)

  • Ben P. Harvey

    (Aberystwyth University
    University of Tsukuba)

  • Sandra C. Straub

    (The University of Western Australia)

  • Michael T. Burrows

    (Scottish Marine Institute)

  • Lisa V. Alexander

    (The University of New South Wales
    The University of New South Wales
    The University of New South Wales)

  • Jessica A. Benthuysen

    (Australian Institute of Marine Science)

  • Markus G. Donat

    (The University of New South Wales
    The University of New South Wales
    Barcelona Supercomputing Center)

  • Ming Feng

    (CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere)

  • Alistair J. Hobday

    (CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere)

  • Neil J. Holbrook

    (University of Tasmania
    University of Tasmania)

  • Sarah E. Perkins-Kirkpatrick

    (The University of New South Wales
    The University of New South Wales)

  • Hillary A. Scannell

    (University of Washington)

  • Alex Gupta

    (The University of New South Wales
    The University of New South Wales)

  • Ben L. Payne

    (Scottish Marine Institute)

  • Pippa J. Moore

    (Aberystwyth University
    Edith Cowan University)

Abstract

The global ocean has warmed substantially over the past century, with far-reaching implications for marine ecosystems1. Concurrent with long-term persistent warming, discrete periods of extreme regional ocean warming (marine heatwaves, MHWs) have increased in frequency2. Here we quantify trends and attributes of MHWs across all ocean basins and examine their biological impacts from species to ecosystems. Multiple regions in the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian Oceans are particularly vulnerable to MHW intensification, due to the co-existence of high levels of biodiversity, a prevalence of species found at their warm range edges or concurrent non-climatic human impacts. The physical attributes of prominent MHWs varied considerably, but all had deleterious impacts across a range of biological processes and taxa, including critical foundation species (corals, seagrasses and kelps). MHWs, which will probably intensify with anthropogenic climate change3, are rapidly emerging as forceful agents of disturbance with the capacity to restructure entire ecosystems and disrupt the provision of ecological goods and services in coming decades.

Suggested Citation

  • Dan A. Smale & Thomas Wernberg & Eric C. J. Oliver & Mads Thomsen & Ben P. Harvey & Sandra C. Straub & Michael T. Burrows & Lisa V. Alexander & Jessica A. Benthuysen & Markus G. Donat & Ming Feng & Al, 2019. "Marine heatwaves threaten global biodiversity and the provision of ecosystem services," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 9(4), pages 306-312, April.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcli:v:9:y:2019:i:4:d:10.1038_s41558-019-0412-1
    DOI: 10.1038/s41558-019-0412-1
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