Your current location:HOME >politics >Climate change risks for fish across world: UW researchers 正文
TIME:2024-04-30 14:59:09 Source: Internet compilationEdit:politics
In the first analysis of how vulnerable the world's freshwater and marine fishes are to climate chan
In the first analysis of how vulnerable the world's freshwater and marine fishes are to climate change, researchers at the University of Washington (UW) have found that sensitivity to temperature changes varied greatly between ocean-dwelling and freshwater fish.
Using physiological data to predict how fish species living in oceans and rivers will respond to warming water temperatures in different regions, the researchers reported in Nature Climate Change that marine fish in the tropics and freshwater fish in higher latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere were the most at risk when water temperatures warmed.
With years of data and relying on the fact that many fish species are taxonomically related and tend to share the same thermal limits, the researchers were able to predict the breaking-point temperature for close to 3,000 species. Regional patterns then emerged when those data were paired with climate-model data predicting temperature increases under climate change.
For example, fish in the tropical oceans are already living in water that is approaching the upper range of their tolerance, according to the researchers. They might not have much wiggle room when temperatures increase slightly. By contrast, in freshwater streams in the far north, fish are accustomed to cooler water temperatures but have much less tolerance for warming waters.
Since the effects of climate change are acutely felt in high latitudes, this doesn't bode well for fish in those streams that have a small window for survivable temperatures.
Fish will either migrate, adapt or die off as temperatures continue to warm, the researchers explained.
Given past evolutionary rates of critical thermal limits, it is unlikely that fish will be able to keep up with the rate at which temperatures are increasing, said senior author Julian Olden, a UW professor of aquatic and fishery sciences. The ability to move, then, is imperative for fish that live in the most critical areas identified in this analysis.
Dams and other infrastructure may block fish from getting where they might need to be in the future; fish ladders and other means to allow fish to circumvent these barriers could be more readily used, although the effectiveness of these structures is highly variable. And actions to restore vegetation along the edges of streams and lakes can help shade and reduce water temperature for the benefit of fish.
"Nowhere on Earth are fish spared from having to cope with climate change," Olden said in a news release from UW. "Fish have unique challenges - they either have to make rapid movements to track their temperature requirements, or they will be forced to adapt quickly."
Sandra Bullock's teen son Louis towers over her during rare outing in West Hollywood2024-04-30 14:42
Pregnant Megan McKenna puts her luxury three2024-04-30 14:27
Long lines form and frustration grows as Cuba runs short of cash2024-04-30 14:06
Household Cavalry horses injured after going on blind2024-04-30 13:46
Gunnar Henderson becomes youngest player to hit 10 homers before May 1 as Orioles defeat Yankees 22024-04-30 13:39
Rebel Wilson thanks people for 'acknowledging my experiences with Sacha Baron Cohen'2024-04-30 13:35
Jets defenseman Brenden Dillon heads to locker room with hand bleeding after fight following game2024-04-30 13:31
JOHN MACLEOD: Could soaring prices mean the humble fish supper has finally had its chips?2024-04-30 13:31
50 migrants reported missing and 9 rescued after their boat overturns off Spanish Atlantic island2024-04-30 13:27
ACT Brumbies end Hurricanes' unbeaten run in Super Rugby Pacific2024-04-30 13:01
Lady Gaga and boyfriend Michael Polansky make a rare appearance as they step out for a low2024-04-30 14:07
Patrick Bailey hits walk2024-04-30 14:06
Long lines form and frustration grows as Cuba runs short of cash2024-04-30 14:05
Ukraine pushes to get military2024-04-30 14:03
Louisiana Supreme Court rules for new City of St. George2024-04-30 13:23
Doja Cat SLAMS parents taking their children to her racy shows in expletive2024-04-30 13:14
Ncuti Gatwa is 'terrified' as launch of his first full Doctor Who series rapidly approaches2024-04-30 12:58
Inside the head2024-04-30 12:53
7 Minnesotans accused in massive scheme to defraud pandemic food program to stand trial2024-04-30 12:23
Ryan Giggs' ex2024-04-30 12:13