Impacts of climate change on coastal benthic ecosystems: assessing the current risk of mortality outbreaks associated with thermal stress in NW Mediterranean coastal areas

Abstract Rhodolith beds are important marine benthic ecosystems, representing oases of high biodiversity among sedimentary seabed environments. They are found frequently and abundantly, acting as major carbonate 'factories' and playing a key role in the biogeochemical cycling of carbonates in the South Atlantic. Rhodoliths are under threat due to global change (mainly related to ocean acidification and global warming) and local stressors, such as fishing and coastal run-off. Here, we review different aspects of the biology of these organisms, highlighting the predicted effects of global change, considering the additional impact of local stressors. Ocean acidification (OA) represents a particular threat that can reduce calcification or even promote the decalcification of these bioengineers, thus increasing the eco-physiological imbalance between calcareous and fleshy algae. OA should be considered, but this together with extreme events such as heat waves and storms, as main stressors of these ecosystems at the present time, will worsen in the future, especially if possible interactions with local stressors like coastal pollution are taken into consideration. Thus, in Brazil there is a serious need for starting monitoring programs and promote innovative experimental infrastructure in order to improve our knowledge of these rich environments, optimize management efforts and enhance the needed conservation initiatives.

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Metagenomics of Antarctic Marine Sediment Reveals Potential for Diverse Chemolithoautotrophy

mSphere ◽

10.1128/msphere.00770-21 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Arkadiy I. Garber ◽

Jessica R. Zehnpfennig ◽

Cody S. Sheik ◽

Michael W. Henson ◽

Gustavo A. Ramírez ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Marine Sediment ◽

Biogeochemical Cycles ◽

Inorganic Nutrients ◽

Polar Regions ◽

Freshwater Runoff ◽

Antarctic Marine ◽

Benthic Ecosystems ◽

Increasing Temperature ◽

Impacts Of Climate Change

The impacts of climate change in polar regions, like Antarctica, have the potential to alter numerous ecosystems and biogeochemical cycles. Increasing temperature and freshwater runoff from melting ice can have profound impacts on the cycling of organic and inorganic nutrients between the pelagic and benthic ecosystems.

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Climate Change – Livelihood – Migration Nexus: A Case Study from Sundarbans, India

10.5194/egusphere-egu21-14256 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Malay Pramanik ◽

Sylvia Szabo ◽

Indrajit Pal ◽

Parmeshwar Udmale

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Sea Level Rise ◽

Sea Level ◽

Coastal Areas ◽

Coastal Communities ◽

Poor People ◽

High Exposure ◽

Coastal Belt ◽

The Sundarbans ◽

Impacts Of Climate Change

Abstract:Climate change is one of the most pressing challenges of the 21st century and is likely to increase migration of the marginal communities from the coastal areas throughout the world. It is projected that 200 million people worldwide will be climate refugees by 2050. Owing to high exposure and poor adaptive capacity, low-lying coastal areas and islands in developing countries are the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Therefore, it is imperative to understand how climate change is affecting the livelihoods, in turn, driving the migration in these regions.The present study focuses on the Sundarbans region located along the coastal belt of West Bengal (India) as a part of Ganga-Brahmaputra mega delta. It is also a home of 4.7 million poor people, who earn below US$10 per month. The region is an exceedingly flat, low-lying, alluvial plain highly exposed to sea level rise, storm surge, tornedoes, cyclonic activity, riverbank erosion, salinization and subsequent mangrove depletion. Due to the climatic hazards, the basic livelihoods are at risk and their strategies towards livelihood collection remains largely unknown. Therefore, the present study provides insights into the nexus among climate stimuli, livelihood risks, and households&#8217; strategies in the region, with special emphasize on climate change.The study is based on field survey of 150 respondents representing migrant and non-migrant coastal communities from Gosaba, Basanti and Hingalganj block using structured questionnaires. More than 70% of respondents stated that livelihood risks mainly from climate change impacts as the major reason for inter-state migration, which is the main source of income supporting livelihood in the region. This environmental displacement in the Sundarbans region symbolizes the failure of adaptation to mitigate climate change induced sea level rise increasing the exposure to coastal flooding and storm surges, salinization, and erosion. &#160;This study discusses potential mitigation strategies to combat the impacts of climate change on livelihoods of the coastal communities in the region.

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Vulnerability to Inundation and Climate Change Impacts in California: Coastal Managers' Attitudes and Perceptions

Marine Technology Society Journal ◽

10.4031/002533206787353169 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 40 (4) ◽

pp. 35-44 ◽

Cited By ~ 30

Author(s):

Susanne C. Moser ◽

John Tribbia

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Sea Level Rise ◽

Sea Level ◽

San Francisco ◽

Climate Change Impacts ◽

Coastal Areas ◽

Federal Agencies ◽

Past Century ◽

Survey Results ◽

Impacts Of Climate Change

Coastal California has witnessed persistent sea-level rise (10-20 cm) along its southern and central open ocean coastal sections and in San Francisco Bay over the past century. This paper aims to understand the perceptions of local coastal managers in California of current inundation-related risks, the added risks from climate change, and vulnerability to the growing coastal problems. We also explore the extent to which coastal managers are beginning to think about and tackle these increasing management challenges. Survey results presented here suggest that inundation already creates critical management challenges in California, but other, non-inundation-related coastal problems also vie for managers' attention. Despite high awareness of global warming and moderately good understanding of potential impacts of climate change on coastal areas, currently pressing issues and limited staff time and resources constrain their ability to begin dealing with the growing risks from sea-level rise. The sobering conclusion is that California is inadequately preparing for the impacts of climate change on coastal areas at this time. Local government will need substantial support from state and federal agencies if the level of preparedness for climate change and other inundation-related risks is to be elevated in the future.

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