High temperatures result in increased stress among species, impacting food availability, reproduction and well-being.
Ocean health is extremely important because oceans support enormous species and act as a pillar to the balance of this planet. A recent report by UNESCO has revealed a concerning trend: It has emerged that close to 20% of species inhabiting UNESCO’s World Heritage marine areas are living in water temperatures that are too warm for their survival. This is a shocking statistics that should make global effort towards adopting the required measures with the aim of reducing the impacts of climate change on the marine ecosystems.
The Impact of Warming Waters
With the rise in global temperature the ocean temperatures exerting pressure on the species inhabiting the seas. Some species have specific thermal tolerance, below which or above which they can hardly exist. 881 out of the 4,406 species identified and mapped in the study have been identified to be already at the zone of their thermal tolerance maximum. This includes; fish, algae, molluscs, mammals, sharks. For example, current habitats for dolphins include the Atlantic bottlenose dolphin, manatee, and southern elephant seal are all now inhabiting waters warmer than they should.
Vulnerable Marine Sites
Many of these sites are located in the UNESCO World Heritage marine region where a relatively high percentage of species experience negative impacts from waters that are too warm. The Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System takes the top share with 53percent species inhabiting its area in thermal limits. The rest of the sites that are considered include the Coiba National Park in Panama, Everglades National Park in Florida- United States and the Banc d’Arguin National Park in Mauritania. These areas need active management to counter effects of warmer waters.
Role of Environmental DNA (eDNA)
To obtain this information, UNESCO used a set structured environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling protocol. It is one of the non-destructive methods that is used to involve sampling of genetic material which are left behind by organisms in their environment. The eDNA surveys carried out in 21 different marine World Heritage areas allowed understanding the spatial distribution and population state of marine fish species. This approach enables the assessment of a vast variety of species and the determination of which species is vulnerable due to climate change.
Addressing the Crisis
According to the observations made in the report, it is necessary to purse complex measures for conservation of marine biological diversity. Measures aimed at the decrease of greenhouse gases emission and combating climate change are vital. Besides, improving protection of MPAs and fulfilling proper fishing methods can contribute to the conservation of the species on the edge of extinction. Two more vital measures for sustainable management of marine resources include involving people of coastal areas in conservation processes and enhancing their concern to the necessity of preserving the divide sea.
Impacts of Rising Temperatures on Marine Ecosystems
Increases in the global sea temperatures have affected the world’s oceans, and this has affected many Unesco World Heritage marine sites and these places are –home to a wide range of species and biotopes. But high temperatures have disturbing effects on these systems and hence broaden the impact on ecosystem, diversity and the habitat.
Coral bleaching and reef degradation
High sea temperatures are visible on the increase with one common effect noted to be coral bleaching. Coral reefs have symbolic partners, the zooxanthellae; small algae which live inside of some reef corals, feeding them by the process of photosynthesis. This connection is disrupted when water temperatures increase and the corals expels the algae and turns white in a process called bleaching. Long-term bleaching increases the rate of coral mortality because the corals cannot feed in their normal manner again.
Interference with Sea Ecosystems
The increase in ocean temperatures is an experience of marine species regardless of the trophic level. Essentially phytoplankton, the primary producers of the marine ecosystem, is influenced by water temperature and when ocean temperatures for phytoplankton do change so does their location and quantity ultimately affecting higher trophic levels such as the zooplankton fish and marine mammals with respect to their food supply. It may also cause a ripple effect around all the other species that calls for an alteration in the species practicable densities. Now, plankton censuses have already been correlated with shifts in the geographic ranges of marine organisms in such UNESCO World Heritage areas as the Galápagos Islands.
Migration and Habitat Loss
Temperature affects species from the marine in that they have a preferred thermal range and move to deeper waters as water temperature rises. Such a shift results in altered distribution of species and loss of living space for some organisms. For instance, tropical fish are shifting towards poles as they prefer pristine temperatures, whereas cold-water fish are forced to move further north or south. It has the potential to push out native stocks and disrupt the overall ecosystem of the waters. For instance, in the Wadden Sea, a listed World Heritage Site, environmental temperature increase has destabilized the animal distribution patterns meaning that several species here are under threat.
Breeding and Reproduction
The rising temperatures may also impact the breeding and reproductive dynamism influencing the marine living organisms. Temperature plays an important role in the reproduction of many marine organisms. Disturbance of these cycles through change in temperature affects the reproductive ability and consequently the population size of the fish. For instance, sea turtles, which nest in several UNESCO marine sites, are particularly vulnerable. The temperature of the sand where they lay their eggs determines the sex of the hatchlings. Increased temperatures bring about a larger number of females hatchlings in a given breed and adversely affect the future population due to the distortion of the sex ratio.
Increased Vulnerability to Diseases
Higher water temperatures can also raise the vulnerability of marine species to diseases. Since pathogen and parasites favour warm water, diseases that may be devastating to excess marine life are reported during warm weather. One of the emerging threats common to coral reefs is diseases consist of white syndrome and black band associated with various marine sites of UNESCO. These diseases, combined with the stress of rising temperatures, can lead to further declines in coral health and resilience.
Steps to Overcome the Impacts
The increasing temperatures in oceans affected our marine system in dangerous ways mainly the ecosystems in the World Heritage marine areas that UNESCO protects. To reduce these effects and preserve those incredibly valuable systems, complex and integrated measures are required.
Climate mitigation and a Low-Carbon World
Greenhouse gases emission should be significantly lowered to reverse the current temperature elevation trend. Governments have to set more aggressive goals under the Paris Accord for the emerging long-term decreased emissions and enact policies to develop more renewable, energy efficiency, and sustainable transport systems. These goals require international cooperation and support from the nations. This way we can contribute to combating climate change, and hence offset change in temperature in the oceans and undue pressure on the marine environment.
Improving the management
MPAs are crucial protective tools for maintaining and improving the coping capacities of marine ecosystems systems. Increasing the area of MPAs including in the areas most at risk due to climate change could offer habitats to species threatened by warmer waters. This paper argues that proper implementation and compliance with laws governing MPAs are important in the achievement of the objectives of an MPA. These involve management and oversight of other activities that may cause pressure on the environment for instance; fishing and tourism and sea coastal development.
Fishing and Conservation of Fishery Resources
Heat increases stress on marine organisms in conjunction with overexploitation and un-proper fishing methods such as overfishing. Implementing sustainable fishing practices, such as quotas, size limits, and seasonal restrictions, can help maintain healthy fish populations and reduce pressure on marine environments. Another important strategy is support to use of selective fishing gears that reduce mortality on non-target species and damage to habitats. There is the need to engage governments, different industries, and the neighbourhood communities in the management of fisheries for sustainability.
Restoring Coral Reefs and Coastal Habitats
Active restoration of degraded coral reefs and coastal habitats will improve climate change resistance. Some of these include; Coral gardening technique in which apparently healthy coral fragments are physically transported from healthy reef areas to damaged areas. Mangrove reforestation and sea-grass bed restoration are also important because these ecosystems include carbon storage and shore protection. Involving local citizens in restoration programmes will ensure ownership of the programme, therefore fostering sustainable results.
Using Information Technology and Innovation
Sophisticated technologies as well as innovative knowledge in marine sciences are applied to describe and counteract climate change effects on marine organisms’ thermo-tolerance levels. Digital technology like; remote sensing, satellite imagery and recently developed environmental DNA (eDNA) may be used to gather information concerning specie distribution and temperature changes, as well as, the health of ecosystems. It means that creating prevention systems for such situations as coral bleaching and other climate changes, one can start taking measures immediately. To address threats and challenges in the marine environment, to generate adequate pore and proper strategies it is crucial to support research and innovation in the field of Marine Science.
Raising awareness and involving the communities
Another concern is the recognition of the local communities in the successes and failures of Marine Conservation. Better education and awareness information can help marshal communities to work towards safeguarding marine ecosystems. Other developmental opportunities like eco-tourism management and sustainable fish farming ought to be supported for in order to attract economic returns for conservation. Partnership between governments, NGOs and local communities can improve the engagement determined by the partnership approach.
International collaboration
Problems of marine ecosystems are not constrained by national borders, thus a comprehensive cooperation is more than necessary. National governments should engage in international cooperation through regional and global organizations’ systems to fight transnational issues. Inter-Governmental partners include UNESCO, UNEP and IUCN which encourage regional collaboration and also offer technical and financial commitments to supporting conservation efforts. Current approaches include cooperation with other countries, organizations, and cooperative associations to deliberate on and possibly implement the best practice, resource assistance, and other related activities in marine bio-conservation.
Mitigating the effects of increasing temperatures on marine systems in UNESCO’s World Heritage marine areas include the application of various strategies. Whereas through improving global climate measures, expanding marine protected areas, encouraging sustainable fishing, rehabilitating coastal ecosystems, advancing technology, involving people, and encouraging international cooperation, we can save these gifts of nature for the future generations. The threats posed by climate change and pollution, wastes, and other pollutants call for an enhanced awareness and unrelenting twin track to conserve and protect marine ecosystem.