We know that climate change is causing global temperatures to rise. This is affecting various ecosystems and the species that inhabit them. One of the ecosystems affected by climate change near us is the Mediterranean Sea. Mediterranean temperature is reaching unprecedented levels. All of this has serious consequences for the natural balance of the ecosystem.
In this article we are going to tell you how climate change affects the temperature of the Mediterranean and what consequences it has.
Mediterranean temperature
It has become common to talk about heat waves, and recently we have even begun to incorporate the term “marine heat waves” into our vocabulary. During the summer of 2022, The Mediterranean experienced one of these phenomena, which had detrimental effects on marine ecosystems and processes., as detailed in studies on the vulnerability of the Mediterranean to climate change. Current statistics show that the temperature of the Mediterranean is increasing.
A marine heat wave is a phenomenon that occurs when the ocean's surface water temperature rises above the seasonal average for a prolonged period.
The definition of marine heat waves, established by researchers, refers to the duration and degree of temperature increase in certain areas of the ocean. Specifically, when temperatures in these regions exceed 10% of the values recorded for that particular time of year and persist for a minimum of five consecutive days, it is considered a marine heat wave.
Heat waves in the ocean, known as marine heat waves, can span vast distances of thousands of kilometers and persist for several months. They can be classified into four different categories according to their intensity, the four classification levels being extreme, severe, strong and moderate.
Experts have identified four key factors that contribute to the formation of ocean heat waves. These factors include the transfer of heat from the air to the ocean, alterations in wind patterns that can result in upwelling, changes in ocean currents, and events such as El Niño, which causes unusual warming of the waters located in the equatorial Pacific region.
The evidence is clear and incontrovertible: the temperature of the Mediterranean Sea continues to rise steadily and unabated.
Climate change and temperature of the Mediterranean
The latest publication from the Center for Mediterranean Environmental Studies, CEAM, presents the latest data on sea surface temperature in the Mediterranean basin. The purpose of these studies is to periodically monitor trends and changes in surface temperature, as it serves as a reliable indicator of climate change.
During the summer of 2022, the Mediterranean experienced a marine heat wave which caused a significant increase in temperatures, exceeding the average by more than 6ºC in certain areas. Furthermore, according to available data, this marine heatwave lasted into the fall. However, the report highlights that these unusually high temperatures persisted into the winter season.
In recent months, the Mediterranean region has experienced a drop in its typical surface temperature. However, temperatures remained above their average in February 2023 as reported by meteorological data.
It is important to note that most, or 90%, of the energy produced by greenhouse gases is absorbed by the oceans, causing a rise in temperature. The Mediterranean Sea, in particular, is experiencing a warming trend that is 20% faster than the average global increase affecting other oceans and seas. This resonates with studies that detail how temperature records in Spain are breaking more and more.
The Mediterranean region experienced an unusually mild winter season, characterized by higher-than-average temperatures. This situation is in line with research revealing how climate change is altering weather patterns and, consequently, affecting biodiversity. To better understand the global impact of climate change, you can learn more about the adaptation of plants to climate change and other phenomena that can impact the environment.
Temperature pattern
It is evident that there has been a discernible pattern in the rise in temperatures. According to data collected since 1982, The Mediterranean has experienced an average increase of 1,5ºC. In addition, the winter months of December, January, and February have experienced some of the most significant monthly deviations in surface temperature. This is related to studies that address the Mediterranean climate and its changes, and also with the general global warming that is occurring in other parts of the world.
In December 2022, the average surface temperature anomaly, adjusted for seasonal changes, was recorded at 1,6ºC. The following month, in January, it increased slightly to 1,7ºC. In February, the anomaly Temperature had increased further to 1,8ºC, more than double the value recorded in the historical data series for that month.
In addition to the CEAM, the Official Bulletin of the Balearic Islands Observation System also shows the evolution of the average surface temperature of the Mediterranean. As of April 13, the data highlighted a significant increase in surface temperature, reaching a peak of 16,75ºC. This value is higher than the average and also exceeds the 90th percentile.
According to official records, it is not surprising that the surface waters of the Balearic Sea were above average during 94% of the days in 2022. On August 11, the area even reached its historical maximum, with an average temperature of 29,3ºC.
Possible consequences
According to a report from the Spanish Institute of Oceanography, it was discovered that between 1948 and 1970 there was a decrease in both air and sea surface temperatures. On the contrary, From the mid-1970s to the present, there has been an uptick in temperature trends.
Between 1948 and 2005, the increase in sea surface temperature along the Mediterranean coast of Spain ranged between 0,12°C and 0,5°C on average. This is consistent with what has been observed in studies on the heat island effect in climate change and how urban infrastructure can be damaged.
According to a WWF report, the Mediterranean Sea is warming at a rate 20% faster than the average rate of global warming for other bodies of water. While an increase of 1,5ºC may not seem significant at first glance, it is worth noting that the resulting consequences could be substantial, especially if the warming trend persists.
As the temperature of the Mediterranean increases, There is a possibility that the region is going through a process of tropicalization. Unfortunately, rising temperatures also lead to the loss of native species, as they are displaced by so-called invasive species. To better understand the species in danger, it is useful to review how Climate change affects various species and how this could change biodiversity in the Mediterranean.
The consequences of such actions not only have an impact on the surrounding plant and animal life, but also extend to the region's climate, causing alterations in the distribution of precipitation and the potential for severe weather events.
The influence of rising temperatures is not limited to the Mediterranean Sea ; It has a global impact on all oceans and seas. In April this year, the average surface temperature of the world's oceans rose to 21,1ºC. The effects of the El Niño phenomenon on this trend have yet to be determined.