Survey
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
Impact of global warming on European tidal estuaries: some evidence of northward migration of estuarine fish species By Delphine Nicolas, Aurelie Chaalali, Hilaire Drouineau, Jeremy Lobry, Ainhize Uriarte, Angel Borja, Philippe Boet What’s The Issue? (Part 1) To determine whether the latitudinal distribution of southern fish species in European tidal estuaries has shifted northward as an expected consequence of global warming. What’s The Issue? (Part 2) The researchers conducted a second part to this study where they specifically focused on 10 particular southern/subtropical species Just So You Know… Just So You Know… PML = Past mean Latitude (mean between highest and lowest latitudes at which species were recorded) RML = Recent Mean Latitude A Little Background Info… Due to a long term warming beginning in the 1970s, several marine species in the North Atlantic hemisphere have been recorded as migrating northward to remain within suitable temperatures A Little Background Info… Guys, What are you doing up here!? Platichthys flesus European Flounder A Little Background Info… U Did good guys, but we’ll take it from here Purpose Of Paper The authors wanted to highlight evidence of latitudinal range shifts of fish species associated with European tidal estuaries along the northeast Atlantic seaboard Methods and Materials (Part 1) Mean latitude of past fish species distributions in 1970s was compared with the mean latitude of distributions today (based on information from 55 estuaries) along a latitudinal gradient from Portugal to Scotland Maps were used for past distribution information (prior to 1978) WFD (Water Framework Directive) surveys were used for recent distribution information (2004-2007) Only 15 species were used Methods and Materials (Part 2) For second part of the study they compared past and recent northernmost latitude of subtropical species distribution 10 species in WFD (Water framework Directive) surveys qualified as subtropical because they remained under the 50°N latitude Distributions from recent surveys were compared with that of a 1973 catalogue (UNESCO) to test for northward expansion of these 10 species over time Main Findings (Part 1) Comparison between past and recent mean latitudinal distributions for selected estuarine species Main Findings (Part 1) For 11 out of 15 species, the difference between RML and PML was found to be positive ranging from 0.6° to 11.1° of latitude showing a northward migration No southward shifts recorded Main Findings (Part 2) Comparison between past and recent northernmost limits of subtropical species range Main Findings (Part 2) 6 species were caught further north than ever recorded before 1973 4 were not observed further north than their normal limit of distribution Conclusion “The two parts of the study both highlighted some evidence of a northward shift in the distribution of several typical estuarine species, which is consistent with the assumption of a northward migration that is expected in response to global warming” Why Should You Care? Why Should You Care? No, But Seriously At a community level range shifts may lead to… 1) change adjustments between preys and predators (upsetting the ecosystem) 2) and may even affects biodiversity, richness, competition and productivity Sources http://www.lumcon.edu/education/studentdatabase/estuary.asp http://www.forces-ofnature.co.uk/dbdriven/beachguide/beachguide.php http://www.christopherpiperwines.co.uk/acatalog/regionmap_eur ope.html http://www.ssd.noaa.gov/imagery/neatl.html http://article.wn.com/view/2012/08/26/The_reallife_turtle_wax_Fish_ offer_sea_creatures_a_swimthrou/ http://www.uniprot.org/taxonomy/8260http://www.zerowastewa.c om.au/disposal/government/hhweducationkit/ http://www.clipartof.com/portfolio/toonaday/illustration/cartoonfish-tourist-swimming-with-a-camera-438003.html