New study reveals salinity changes as a major threat to marine ecosystems

A revolutionary study, published today, unveils the crucial yet undervalued impact of salinity changes in oceans and coastlines caused by climate change. The study was co-authored by an international team of researchers, including Dr. Cliff Ross, a distinguished biology chair and professor at the University of North Florida, and Dr. Stacey Trevathan-Tackett, who is an alumna of UNF’s biology graduate program and now a research faculty member at Deakin University in Australia. This study fills the existing research gap and sheds light on the potential catastrophic consequences of anthropogenic salinity changes on marine and coastal ecosystems, as well as the local communities’ well-being and economic prosperity.

Historically, the impact of salinity changes on coastal and estuarine ecosystems due to climate change and land use has been largely neglected. However, this new research provides invaluable insights into the immense threats posed by human-induced salinity changes and emphasizes the potentially devastating consequences for marine and coastal ecosystems in densely populated regions.

The study focuses on the adverse effects of climate change-related variations in rainfall and human activities on freshwater availability and salinity levels in sensitive ecosystems, leading to extreme flood and drought events. The intrusion of saltwater in coastal and low-lying areas due to rising sea levels further exacerbates the situation. Particularly vulnerable groups such as microorganisms, plankton, coral, mangroves, tidal marshes, macroalgae, and seagrass face an imminent risk of ecosystem collapse.

The researchers caution that salinity changes are projected to intensify alongside ocean warming and stress the urgent need to address these challenges to safeguard marine and coastal ecosystems as well as biodiversity.

The study titled “Human-induced salinity changes impact marine organisms and ecosystems” is published in Global Change Biology.

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