Tag

Kelp

All articles tagged with #kelp

environment1 year ago•4 min saved

Maine's Vital Kelp Forests Threatened by Ocean Warming

Kelp forests in the Gulf of Maine, crucial for marine life and the lobster industry, are declining due to warming ocean temperatures. While northern areas remain somewhat resilient, southern regions have reached a tipping point, with kelp being replaced by red algae. The warming is driven by climate change, altering ocean currents and impacting the entire ecosystem. Scientists warn that this decline signals broader ecological shifts, with potential long-term consequences for marine biodiversity and fisheries.

via The Boston Globe|

#climate-change #environment #gulf-of-maine

science2 years ago•5 min saved

Ancient Fossil Holdfasts Reveal Early Kelp Evolution

Fossilized holdfasts of kelp dating back 32 million years indicate the presence of ancient kelp forests off the Northwest Coast, challenging the belief that kelp evolved alongside modern marine organisms. These early kelp forests likely served as a food source for an extinct mammal called desmostylian. The fossils, discovered by an amateur collector, provide insight into the evolution of kelp ecosystems and suggest that the complexity of modern kelp forests developed over the past few million years. Further studies of these fossils aim to shed light on the evolution of the kelp ecosystem in the North Pacific and its relationship to changes in the ocean-climate system.

via Phys.org|

#ecosystem #fossils #kelp

oceans-wildlife2 years ago•1 min saved

Whales' Ingenious Use of Kelp: Playful Toys and Antibacterial Shields

Researchers have observed over 100 whales, including humpback, gray, southern, and northern right whales, playing with kelp and seaweed, a behavior known as "kelping." Using drone footage and social media posts, scientists have discovered that kelping is a global phenomenon. The whales engage in this behavior for fun and because it feels good on their skin. Kelp also helps whales get rid of hitchhikers like barnacles and lice, as its rough surface can brush them off and its antibacterial properties reduce bacterial growth. Kelping is also a social activity that enhances social bonds and aids learning among whales.

via ExplorersWeb|

#behavior #kelp #marine-plants

science2 years ago•3 min saved

"Unlikely Encounters: Kelp in Galapagos, Polar Bears in Bahamas"

Marine scientist Salomé Buglass made a surprising discovery of a kelp forest thriving in deep, tropical waters in the Galapagos. Kelp usually grows in cooler waters and requires light to survive, making this find unusual. The kelp forest provides habitat for various species and stores carbon, making it important for biodiversity and climate change. Researchers believe it may be a new species or a relic from a colder past, and further genetic sequencing is needed to confirm.

via NPR|

#biodiversity #climate-change #galapagos