Marine Climate Change

Question 1

How much has the sea been warming by per decade for the last century?

Answer 1

~0.13.c

Question 2

What happened to the ocean heat content in 2017?

Answer 2

The rise in OHC was relative to 700 times Chinas total annual electricity generation.

Question 3

What happened in 2016 to the heat content of the ocean?

Answer 3

A large El Nino output drew warmth from the deep oceans and had a cooling effect on the ocean.

Question 4

How much heat do oceans absorb from global warming?

Answer 4

> 90%

Question 5

What are the consequences of ocean warming?

Answer 5

• Less sea ice extent
• Ecological impacts: move, adapt, die

Question 6

What has shifting fish shown?

Answer 6

Northern species abundance has increased. e.g. Atlantic cod
Some Southern species abundance has increased e.g. Red mullet
Species presence / absence has stayed the same but species abundance has changed.

Question 7

What are some stats about shifting fish?

Answer 7

Out of 9 species that have declined in warm conditions, 1/2 landings have decreased.
Out of 27 species that have increased in warm conditions, landings have increased by 2.5 times.

Question 8

Why don’t all fish move, and what fish have shifted deeper?

Answer 8

Not all fish move due to specific habitats and oceanographic structure.
North fish have shifted deeper.

Question 9

How much will the north sea warm in the 21st centure?

Answer 9

~3.2.c

Question 10

What impacts on phenology have occurred due to warming seas?

Answer 10

Phytoplankton bloom has advanced faster than terrestrial plants.
There are mismatches between food requirements and availability.

Question 11

What are the impacts of global warming for corals?

Answer 11

They get bleached by prolonged exposure of high heats. Bleaching is not lethal, but they need a period of recovery.
With global warming, the period between bleaching events is getting shorter. Now 6 years.