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Coastal Species

All articles tagged with #coastal species

environment2 years ago•2 min saved

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch: A Thriving Ecosystem for Coastal Species.

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, a large concentration of plastic debris in the Pacific Ocean, is also an ecosystem hosting a variety of sea creatures that cling to the debris. A recent study found 46 different species of invertebrates living on the debris, with the vast majority being species that are typically only found along coastlines. The findings contradict the assumption that coastal species could not survive in areas of open ocean.

via Yahoo! Voices|

#coastal-species #environment #great-pacific-garbage-patch

environment2 years ago•2 min saved

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch: From Trash Heap to Thriving Ecosystem.

Coastal species are thriving in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, with evidence of reproduction in their plastic homes, according to a study published in the Nature Ecology & Evolution journal. The diversity and frequency of coastal species found on more than 70% of debris is new, and researchers suggest that the plastisphere may provide new opportunities for coastal species to expand populations into the open ocean, altering oceanic communities and ecosystem processes. The study highlights the urgent need for policy intervention to reduce plastic waste entering the ocean.

via CBS News|

#coastal-species #environment #great-pacific-garbage-patch

environment2 years ago•5 min saved

Coastal Ecosystem Thrives on Great Pacific Garbage Patch

Scientists studying plastic trash in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch have found dozens of coastal species that have managed to establish new communities in the open ocean. The findings overturn the long-held idea that the open ocean is a barrier that most coastal species could never breach. The researchers found all kinds of nonnative species, from anemones to worms to little crustaceans, on 70% of the 105 debris items examined. The study has possible implications for all kinds of animals higher up the food chain like turtles, fish, and marine mammals.

via NPR|

#coastal-species #environment #great-pacific-garbage-patch