Tremendous change has developed in the United Kingdom’s marine biodiversity. For over more than six decades, microscopic algae and animals that are leading supporters of the worldwide marine food chain have undergone several changes in their habitat.
A study led by a team of researchers from the University of Plymouth has involved the contribution of the United Kingdom offshore surveys and the inshore long-term findings. The next step involved determining the impact of climate change on the environment and, consequently, on the marine communities.
The conclusion of the study is stating that the combination of the human industry affecting the environment with the climate risks is affecting the marine ecosystems on a global scale.
Climate change affects the marine biodiversity
The researchers have underlined the utmost importance of the marine ecosystems in the United Kingdom’s income resulted when this category is involved. The plankton population is the basis of marine food and changes can lead to catastrophes since the marine animals are even linked with delivering the oxygen to humans.
The data provided by the study is alarmingly high. The research reveals that the decrease in meroplankton is 2.3 bigger during the past two decades than it used to be between 1958 and 1967. In addition to this, the population of other species has reached an alarming point, decreasing by up to 75%.
This research demonstrates how several different types of data can contribute together to determine changes on a long term scale is an essential category of the environment. Solving this matter involves the collaboration of a large number of institutions to assess the actual damage that has already been produced.
This matter has enormous importance since the planktons represent the base of the marine food chain. Therefore, these changes automatically imply alterations in the marine biodiversity, as well as climate change and commercial fisheries.
