المملكة: KAUST leads the first global assessment of marine life disturbances in a year when global temperatures exceed 1.5 degrees

Led by researchers from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology “KAUST” The first global assessment to monitor the response Oceansaround the world, revealing that disturbances to marine life are not limited to summer heat waves, but rather extend throughout the year.

The study was published in One Earth magazine, and was based on an analysis of 201 documented cases from various oceans of the world, and was based on scientific studies, monitoring programs and field observations, to provide one of the largest and most comprehensive global records of the environmental impacts resulting from rising ocean temperatures during an unprecedented period of global warming.

Global impacts

The study revealed a wide range of environmental impacts, including coral bleaching, harmful algal blooms, the death of marine organisms, disturbance of natural habitats, and the impact of fisheries. It confirmed that these phenomena were not limited to the summer months, but were observed in various seasons of the year, indicating the necessity of developing monitoring and response systems to operate throughout the year.

The study was led by a research team from KAUST in cooperation with scientists from several countries, where The data was collected from multiple sources, including studies published in peer-reviewed scientific journals, government agencies, environmental organizations, monitoring programs, and the media, across 17 languages.

A Realistic Picture

Dr. Shannon Klein, lead author of the study and a research scientist at KAUST, said that the results provide a realistic picture of the response of marine ecosystems during an exceptional period of rising ocean temperatures, indicating that the environmental impacts were not limited to traditional marine heat waves, but rather appeared in various seasons, which calls for strengthening monitoring. and ongoing evaluation.

The study showed that 98% of the documented environmental impacts were associated with an unusual rise in sea surface temperatures, while other factors such as storms and extreme weather phenomena contributed to exacerbating the effects of warming on marine ecosystems.

Environmental risks

The researchers explained that the interaction of various environmental pressures directly affects the health of marine ecosystems and their ability to withstand, stressing that the results of the study will help scientists and decision makers identify the areas most vulnerable to environmental, social and economic risks. If global temperatures remain at their current levels or continue to rise.

Professor Carlos Duarte, Distinguished Professor of Marine Sciences at KAUST and senior author of the study, pointed out that marine ecosystems are affected by an overlapping set of factors, most notably ocean warming and extreme weather phenomena, indicating that this study provides an important knowledge base to support monitoring efforts, preserve marine environments and enhance their resilience, especially in areas such as the Red Sea.

Rapid Evaluation

The researchers confirmed that the study They represent a rapid assessment of the effects of an exceptional period of ocean warming, and their results will be subject to further verification as data continues to accumulate, expressing their hope that it will contribute to the development of future monitoring systems, support plans for the restoration of ecosystems, and enhance efforts to protect marine resources.

These results come at a time when the Kingdom continues its investments in protecting marine environments and developing the blue economy, in a way that enhances the sustainability of natural resources and supports national efforts in the field of preserving marine ecosystems.

• For more: Follow Khaleejion 24 Arabic, Khaleejion 24 English, Khaleejion 24 Live, and for social media follow us on Facebook and Twitter