Maria Byrne - Marine Biology

Marine life histories in a climate change ocean

The global oceans are on a trajectory of change as they simultaneously warm, acidify and increase in pCO2 (partial pressure of carbon dioxide) due to anthropogenic alteration of the earth’s climate. Increases in temperature and acidification are likely to have negative impacts on marine biota, especially species that make a shell or skeleton.

However, as these factors are likely to interact, the extent of effects is difficult to predict. The pace and magnitude of ocean warming and acidification will vary among regions due to differences in ocean circulation patterns. Of major concern is the south-eastern Australia climate change hot spot.

Professor Byrne has embarked on a major research program to determine the integrative effects of climate change on marine biota in association with partner institutions in the Sydney Institute of Marine Science. There is an urgent need to determine the comparative vulnerabilities of marine species and life history stages to ocean change and determine threshold tolerance levels.

Although the future for many marine invertebrates appears gloomy in the face of climate change, there is potential for in-built adaptive (genetic) and acclimation (phenotypic plasticity) capacity. Determination of the scope for adaptation will help the identification of species that are potential winners and losers in the face of ocean regime change.

The earth has entered a new phase in its history, experiencing a far greater pace of climate change than previously experienced. Predicting the future state of marine ecosystems and the services they support (such as fisheries, water quality, coastal protection) for the wellbeing of human populations is a major challenge. This issue is now urgent as we work to identify sustainable approaches in use of our marine resources.