The UK could see a boom in endangered sharks, rays and native oysters as species move habitats to respond to rising ocean temperatures, according to scientists. But some, including a clam that is the world's longest living animal, could struggle to adapt. Researchers at the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science mapped for the first time how 19 threatened marine species will respond to climate change in UK seas. Many creatures could find new homes in parts of the North Sea predicted to become biodiversity hotspots in the next 50 years, although the disruption from climate change could also have negative knock-on effects on the marine ecosystem. In May an intense heatwavewarmed UK waters up to 4 degrees warmer than usual. "As an island nation, we're hugely reliant on the sea for our food and for jobs. Any changes that we see in our seas are particularly impactful," Bryony Townhill, marine scientist at Cefas, told BBC News. The analysis should guide the government as it plans how to ensure so-called Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) continue to protect species even as they change habitat. The world's oceans are warming as they have absorbed up to 90% of the additional heating created when humans burn fossil fuels like oil, coal and gas. The UK seas are a hotspot for these effects of climate change and are among 20 places globally that have warmed fastest over the past 50 years. Fishing communities and sea swimmers have already noticed the difference, with reports of jellyfish swarming near beaches orMediterranean octopus hauled up in fish catches. For this report, scientists looked at two different projections for sea temperatures, salinity and sediment levels until 2060. They compared the changing ocean environment to the preferred habitats of 19 species that are currently vulnerable in the UK. The biggest winners are the native oysters, basking sharks, spurdog sharks - which can grow up to 1.6 meters - and thornbacks - a type of ray with spines. Overall, mobile species will cope better, whereas static creatures will find it harder to adapt. A small creature called a sea pen, which helps to build reefs, could lose up to 40% of their suitable habitat by the end of the century. And the ocean quahog, a type of clam that can live more than 500 years, making it the longest living animal, is predicted to struggle. A decline in those species could have knock-on impacts on ecosystems and food chains. The scientists were surprised by some of the results. "I didn't expect that native oysters would do well. Frankly, they've been declining and disappearing for 100 years - and yet the climate model suggests they should be doing fine and perhaps even thriving," says Prof Pinnegar. But he is careful to add that although there are potential new habitats, these vulnerable species must still be protected from threats like fishing equipment, disease or pollution. "We're not necessarily promising an increase in numbers - the seas still need to be managed carefully and other pressures reduced if the creatures are to thrive in new habitats," he says. The movement of these 19 marine species is likely to have a knock-on effect on coastal communities in the North Sea, including potentially bigger fish catches, according to Dr Townhill. The findings are published in the science journal Marine Biology.
Sharks and oysters set to thrive in warmer UK waters
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"UK Marine Species Adaptations to Climate Change May Boost Certain Populations"
Bbc News
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TruthLens AI Summary
Recent research conducted by scientists at the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science has revealed that the UK could witness a significant increase in the populations of endangered sharks, rays, and native oysters due to shifting marine habitats prompted by rising ocean temperatures. The study, which is the first of its kind to map the responses of 19 threatened marine species to climate change in UK waters, indicates that some species may adapt successfully while others, particularly static creatures, may struggle. The research highlighted that certain areas of the North Sea are expected to evolve into biodiversity hotspots over the next 50 years, though the overarching impacts of climate change may disrupt the marine ecosystem. The analysis follows a period in May when UK waters experienced a temperature increase of up to 4 degrees Celsius above the norm, underscoring the urgency of the situation. Bryony Townhill, a marine scientist at Cefas, emphasized the reliance of the UK as an island nation on the sea for both food and livelihood, making the changes in marine ecosystems particularly consequential for coastal communities.
The study predicts that mobile species, such as native oysters, basking sharks, and spurdog sharks—which can reach lengths of up to 1.6 meters—are likely to thrive in these new habitats. In contrast, more sedentary species like the ocean quahog, which can live for over 500 years, may find it increasingly difficult to adapt, potentially leading to declines that could disrupt food chains and marine ecosystems. Professor Pinnegar, one of the researchers, noted a surprising finding: despite the historical decline of native oysters over the past century, climate models suggest they could thrive in the changing environment. However, he cautioned that the success of these species will depend on effective management of marine protected areas (MPAs) and the mitigation of other threats such as pollution and fishing practices. The implications of these shifts could also affect local fishing communities, potentially leading to larger fish catches in the future. The findings of this significant research are detailed in the science journal Marine Biology.
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