Fish Are Beginning to Feel the Heat

Chromis swimming near coral in the Indo-Pacific

In their studies, researchers are beginning to discover survival threats of fish species near the equator. Coral reef scientists find species of fish that cannot and will not survive in water temperature changes of as little as three degrees celsius below it's current temperature. After the researchers study common fish species near the equator, they state that the fish here are adapted to a very small range of water temperatures and are most likely to perform best in those temperatures. The continually warming oceans are posing threats for the fish and putting many marine species at risk. 

As the team continues their research, they measure the rates that fish use oxygen at different temperatures while the fish are resting and while they are at their maximum performance. The researchers find that at higher temperatures, the fish lose ability to perform tasks like "evading predators, finding food, and generating sufficient energy to breed" (ARC Center of Excellence). With the increasing temperatures, scientists predict that the fish will not be able to adapt at the pace of their changing environment. Because of this, the researchers predict the fish population near the equator will drop and greatly effect human life near the equator. Since there are developing countries lying in the equatorial line that depend on the fish populations, the predicted decrease of fish poses a severe threat for the humans' food security.

NOS Themes:
-Science is collaborative
-Science is based on evidence
-Role of chance


Article Link:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/02/140211094304.htm

Citation:
ARC Centre of Excellence in Coral Reef Studies. "Fish living near the equator will not thrive in the warmer oceans of the future." ScienceDaily. 11 Feb. 2014.