Ocean Food Web in Crisis: Record Heat Threatens Ecosystem

Rising ocean temperatures caused by climate change are disrupting the ocean food web, impacting not only corals but also the entire ecosystem. The warming waters affect phytoplankton, the base of the food web, by reducing their pigment production and nutrient intake. This, in turn, affects zooplankton and other marine organisms, leading to changes in community composition and potential threats to fisheries. The heat also causes stratification, preventing nutrient upwelling and further depriving phytoplankton of essential nutrients. These disruptions have far-reaching consequences for the Earth's climate system, as plankton play a crucial role in carbon sequestration. While the ecosystem may adapt, biodiversity loss and the loss of important functions are expected.