What are the impacts of ocean
acidification on key benthic (seabed) ecosystems, communities,
habitats, species and
their life cycles?
The average acidity (pH) of the
world's oceans has been stable for the last 25 million years.
However, the oceans are now absorbing so much man made
CO2 from the atmosphere that measurable changes in
seawater pH and carbonate chemistry can be seen. It is predicted
that this could affect the basic biological functions of many
marine organisms. This in turn could have implications for the
survival of populations and communities, as well as the maintenance
of biodiversity and ecosystem function.
In the seas around the UK, the habitats that make up the
seafloor, along with the animals associated with them, play a
crucial role in maintaining a healthy and productive marine
ecosystem. This is important considering 40% of the world's
population lives within 100km of the coast and many of these people
depend on coastal systems for food, economic prosperity and
well-being. Given that coastal habitats also harbour incredibly
high levels of biodiversity, any environmental change that affects
these important ecosystems could have substantial environmental and
economical impacts.
During several recent international meetings scientific experts
have concluded that new research is urgently needed. In particular
we need long-term studies that determine: which organisms are
likely to be tolerant to high CO2 and which are
vulnerable; whether organisms will have time to adapt or
acclimatise to this rapid environmental change; and how the
interactions between individuals that determine ecosystem structure
will be affected. This current lack of understanding is a major
problem as ocean acidification is a rapidly evolving management
issue and, with an insufficient knowledge base, policy makers and
managers are struggling to formulate effective strategies to
sustain and protect the marine environment in the face of ocean
acidification.