4. Aquatic Ecosystems Seminar Flashcards
What impacts will climate have on plankton?
Shift in distribution pH change, change in pollution toxicity Wind -> death Peak abundance differentially affected Synergistic effects of pollutants unknown Run off -> hummus allows toxic dinoflagellates to grow and blooms Calcerous shell taxa reduced More UV, less photosynthesis Strat change, abundance change
What research should be carried out on plankton?
Data collection and predictive modelling
More direct sampling, less satellite data reliance
Study climate paramaters and physiology/behaviour
Effect of CO2 dissolution on phytoplankton
UV impact
Holistic models to assess primary and secondary production changes
Dynamic models with multifactors and food chain predictions
How could we ameliorate climate change impacts on plankton?
Reduce nutrient impact to coast
Control freshwater run-off for both silt and salinty
Reduce overfishing
What research should we do on seagrass?
Knowledge and distribution, abundance and composition
Lab and modelling studies on CO2 rise
Seagrass and ecosystem interactions - modelling
Temp effects on phenology
Monitor seagrass bed health
How could we ameliorate the effects of climate change on seagrass?
Control freshwater run off - silt and salinity
Buffer zones of coastal vegitation to protect from sediment
Monitor and control water quality
Reduce bottom trawling
Promote coral reefs to reduce storm effects and contruct structures
Manage protected areas
How could climate change impact seagrass?
More biomass (CO2) Shift Southwards in distribution Change in composition Change in freq and time of flower/seeding Storms -> destruction Fewer UV intolerant species Air temp may damage seagrass at surface Less seagrass means less fish
How might climate change impact mangroves?
More productivity
Migration landward
Les forest cover due to storms
Evaporation so more salinity so shift in spp distribution (also heat)
Less rainfall so invasion of salt marshes and freshwater, more salinity and less growth
More rainfall, more productivity
What would happen if we lost mangroves?
Less protection form storms on the coast
Reduced fishery productivity
Less water uptake therefore more freshwater and sedimemt run off
What mangrove research should we do?
UV and chem impacts
Ecosystem
Monitor mangroves and associated species for warning of changes
Coastline sea level monitoring to understand threat
Response to pollution
How could we reduce the threat to mangroves?
Monitor and control coastal development
Reduce pollutants
Initaite mangrove conservation programmes
Control fishing, esp. dredging in mangrove areas
How might climate change impact kelp forests?
Shift distribution - 20C+ damage Life cycle impact by temp Changes in wind currents reduce nutrients Storms shift distribution Increase sea levels, landward migration UV damage Acidification reduces growth Less predators will allow invasive herbivores to munch on kelp
What research should we do on help forests?
Monitor ecosystems
Research phenology
Adaptation to climate change between species
Predictive models
How can we reduce the impacts of cliamte change on kelp forests?
Protected areas Encourage ecotourism (???????) Reduce sediment input Reduce nutrient and pollutant input Prevent overfishing of predators to reduce effect of herbivores Herbivore control Artificial reefs Kelp transplant
How could climate change impact rocky shores?
Outward movement of tropical and temperate species Loss of endemic species Reduction in canopy forming seaweeds.... Hot days mean more dieback of seaweed Sea level increase so tidal species lost Damage from storms from less protective kelp Run off reduces salinity Lower pH, less calcification, less ket taxa eg. crustacea Change in community composition Alteration of reproductive timings Fertility changes More UV, Less Photosynthesis
What research should we do on rocky shores?
Imaging for species distribution and abundance Survey for future comparison Indentify reasons for drop in fertility Pollution knowledge Model predictions
