Climate, heatwaves, nearshore ecosystems and the sunflower sea star

Open Access Government
By: , and 

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Abstract

At the nexus of the ocean and the land lies the nearshore ecosystem, which includes the intertidal zone, an area exposed during low tides and submerged during high tides. Species in the intertidal are adapted to a high level of environmental variability including high temperatures, waves, and salinity variability. Species’ tolerance to desiccation in part determines the elevation within the intertidal zone they occupy. Biological interactions also determine the presence and abundance of species. Predators like sea stars and competition for space can influence numbers of barnacles and mussels. As ocean and air temperatures continue to rise with climate change and marine heatwave are becoming more common intertidal species may have limited space to move vertically in response to sea level rise and many species are already living at the edge of their physiological tolerances for high temperatures.
Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Climate, heatwaves, nearshore ecosystems and the sunflower sea star
Series title Open Access Government
DOI 10.56367/OAG-040-10703
Volume 2023
Issue October
Year Published 2023
Language English
Publisher Adjacent Digital Politics LTD
Contributing office(s) Alaska Science Center Ecosystems
Description 2 p.
First page 412
Last page 413
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