Not all species are equally vulnerable to climate change. Depending on the physiology, ecosystem where it is located and the climate are more likely to be affected or not. In this case we are going to talk about the Mediterranean Cystoseira, an alga that is probably the species that is most affected by the increase in temperatures caused by climate change.
How is this alga affected?
Cystoseira Mediterranean
Cystoseira mediterranea is a key algae species found on the seabed. According to an international study in which researchers from the Mediterranean Institute for Advanced Studies, Imedea (UIB-CSIC) have participated, this alga could be the most affected by the increase in water temperatures caused by global warming. This topic is closely related to the adaptation of species to climate change.
When temperatures rise in seas and oceans, interactions between species are affected. Nature maintains a balance that resides in the exchange of matter and energy between species that coexist in ecosystems. However, when ecosystem conditions change (as is the case with rising temperatures), interactions between species could alter the structure and composition of some of the most important ecosystems. This is crucial to understanding how climate change can transform the marine environment, something that is related to the effects of global warming.
Impacts on the Mediterranean
The study is quite optimistic regarding seagrass meadows of irreplaceable species such as Posidonia, at least with regard to the effects of herbivores. However, it also points out that this algae is among the species most affected. The Mediterranean Sea is already increasing its temperature due to global warming. Many Mediterranean seaweed communities are at risk of impacts from herbivores such as sea urchins, which could further reduce their populations, as has been confirmed by research on how climate change affects various speciesThis is further evidence of how climate change affects marine biodiversity.
The work published in the journal "Marine Pollution Bulletin" has analyzed the factors that can potentially influence plant-herbivore interactions, experimenting with three of the most important plant species in the Mediterranean: the Posidona oceanica and Cymodocea nodosa plants and the Cystoseira mediterranea alga , and its common consumer, the sea urchin, Paracentrotus lividus.
The results of this study show that herbivores put more pressure on the two plant species and that the populations would remain similar with global warming. It also indicates that they could be reduced since these plants are capable of producing more toxic compounds or unpalatable to herbivores when they grow in warmer waters. This shows how global warming can alter species dynamics in their habitat, an issue that relates to the increase in temperature in different oceans.
Reduction in growth rate
However, when they moved on to studying the algae, they realized that higher temperatures reduced the growth rate even though the sea urchin's consumption of food remained quite high. This raises serious concerns about the viability of Cystoseira mediterranea in a future affected by climate change.
Scientists consider a situation quite worrying since currently overgrazing of urchins already has a significant impact on kelp forests, so that, if affected by higher temperatures, there could be the appearance of «underwater deserts,» that is, an area of rocks without algae.
The sea urchin population is growing and affecting certain areas of the western Mediterranean. Sea urchins are growing due to the lack of natural predators caused by human overfishing. In this context, the situation of marine ecosystems, which continue to be vulnerable to various threats, is relevant. As climate change affects the entire ecosystem, we must understand that the intensity of interactions between these species will change. The interactions They are essential for ecosystems to grow well and especially in places like the Mediterranean, a semi-closed ecosystem.
CEAB-CSIC researcher and RECCAM project leader, Teresa Alcoverro, highlighted that, according to the study, “not all the consequences will be negative” and species such as Posidonia, “although not immune to the direct effects of temperature, at least seem to be able to resist the impact of herbivores well.” This underlines the importance of studying the diverse reactions of species to climate change, especially in the context of the loss of biodiversity in various ecosystems.
The study is the result of a collaboration between researchers from the Blanes Center for Advanced Studies (CSIC), the University of Barcelona, Imedea, Oregon State University (USA), Deakin University (Australia), the Nature Conservation Foundation (India), and Bangor University (Wales, UK) within the framework of the RECCAM project. This demonstrates that international research is essential to addressing the challenges posed by global warming.
As you can see, ecosystems are very sensitive and interactions between species are necessary.
This research makes it very clear, the principle that every animate or inanimate being, which is on earth, has been destined to perform a harmonious and interdependent function and in a balanced way, but at the present time the actions of man have broken the functioning balanced, with the consequences that we are experiencing and will be for many years.