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Effects of changing temperature on benthic marine life in Britain and Ireland

Effects of changing temperature on benthic marine life in Britain and Ireland
Effects of changing temperature on benthic marine life in Britain and Ireland
1. The coastal waters surrounding Britain and Ireland became warmer during the 20th century and, according to the UK Climate Impact Programme 2002 scenarios of change and other sources, average annual seawater temperatures may rise a further 2°C or more by the 2050s. This warming is part of a global rise in sea- and air-surface temperatures that will cause changes in the distribution and abundance of species.

2. Initially, there will not be a wholesale movement northwards of southern species or retreat northwards of northern species, because many additional factors will influence the responses of the different organisms. Such factors include the hydrodynamic characteristics of water masses, the presence of hydrographical and geographical barriers to spread and the life history characteristics (reproductive mode, dispersal capability and longevity) of species. Survey data over the past century show how organisms react to changes of the order of 0.5°C, and in the last two decades, when sea temperatures have risen by as much as 1°C, there have been significant local changes in the distribution of intertidal organisms. These past changes provide a clue to more extensive changes expected in the future if global warming develops as predicted.

3. Where species affected by climate change are dominant or key structural or functional species in biotopes, there may be a change in the extent and distribution of those biotopes. Some, dominated by predominantly northern species such as the horse mussel Modiolus modiolus, may decline and reduce their value as rich habitats for marine life. Others, characterized by southern species, for example the sea fan Eunicella verrucosa and the alcyonacean Alcyonium glomeratum, may increase in extent.

4. Using information on the life history characteristics of species, their present distribution and other factors, a key supported by a decision tree has been constructed to identify ‘types’ of organism according to their likely response to temperature rise. Conspicuous and easily identified rocky substratum species are good candidates to track change. Using the key, many species are shown as likely to increase their range northwards significantly. In contrast, fewer will decline in abundance and extent in the north. If, as anticipated, global warming continues, then species with distributions already accurately mapped, or being mapped at present, will provide baseline data to test forecasts.
climate change, global warming, benthos, sea bed, biogeography
1052-7613
333-362
Hiscock, Keith
410d0937-683d-4345-a6b6-90e21fc62cc7
Southward, Alan
c8e0c726-c317-49e0-99e3-b98368b26594
Tittley, Ian
2513a0cf-5a92-4b53-9c45-c815ad2abf39
Hawkins, Stephen
758fe1c1-30cd-4ed1-bb65-2471dc7c11fa
Hiscock, Keith
410d0937-683d-4345-a6b6-90e21fc62cc7
Southward, Alan
c8e0c726-c317-49e0-99e3-b98368b26594
Tittley, Ian
2513a0cf-5a92-4b53-9c45-c815ad2abf39
Hawkins, Stephen
758fe1c1-30cd-4ed1-bb65-2471dc7c11fa

Hiscock, Keith, Southward, Alan, Tittley, Ian and Hawkins, Stephen (2004) Effects of changing temperature on benthic marine life in Britain and Ireland. Aquatic Conservation Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems, 14 (4), 333-362. (doi:10.1002/aqc.628).

Record type: Article

Abstract

1. The coastal waters surrounding Britain and Ireland became warmer during the 20th century and, according to the UK Climate Impact Programme 2002 scenarios of change and other sources, average annual seawater temperatures may rise a further 2°C or more by the 2050s. This warming is part of a global rise in sea- and air-surface temperatures that will cause changes in the distribution and abundance of species.

2. Initially, there will not be a wholesale movement northwards of southern species or retreat northwards of northern species, because many additional factors will influence the responses of the different organisms. Such factors include the hydrodynamic characteristics of water masses, the presence of hydrographical and geographical barriers to spread and the life history characteristics (reproductive mode, dispersal capability and longevity) of species. Survey data over the past century show how organisms react to changes of the order of 0.5°C, and in the last two decades, when sea temperatures have risen by as much as 1°C, there have been significant local changes in the distribution of intertidal organisms. These past changes provide a clue to more extensive changes expected in the future if global warming develops as predicted.

3. Where species affected by climate change are dominant or key structural or functional species in biotopes, there may be a change in the extent and distribution of those biotopes. Some, dominated by predominantly northern species such as the horse mussel Modiolus modiolus, may decline and reduce their value as rich habitats for marine life. Others, characterized by southern species, for example the sea fan Eunicella verrucosa and the alcyonacean Alcyonium glomeratum, may increase in extent.

4. Using information on the life history characteristics of species, their present distribution and other factors, a key supported by a decision tree has been constructed to identify ‘types’ of organism according to their likely response to temperature rise. Conspicuous and easily identified rocky substratum species are good candidates to track change. Using the key, many species are shown as likely to increase their range northwards significantly. In contrast, fewer will decline in abundance and extent in the north. If, as anticipated, global warming continues, then species with distributions already accurately mapped, or being mapped at present, will provide baseline data to test forecasts.

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More information

e-pub ahead of print date: 30 June 2004
Published date: July 2004
Keywords: climate change, global warming, benthos, sea bed, biogeography
Organisations: Ocean and Earth Science

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 188309
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/188309
ISSN: 1052-7613
PURE UUID: aa0cc89a-4929-4b88-8f2b-1afbf7c655ba

Catalogue record

Date deposited: 23 May 2011 16:11
Last modified: 14 Mar 2024 03:30

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Contributors

Author: Keith Hiscock
Author: Alan Southward
Author: Ian Tittley
Author: Stephen Hawkins

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