Amaris en de Kleurrijke Vissen

 AI Overview

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Recent studies, including those published in March 2025, highlight that climate change is significantly impacting phytoplankton, with warming oceans leading to shifts in distribution and potentially reduced biomass, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions, while high-latitude regions may see increased phytoplankton. 

Here's a deeper dive into the current state of phytoplankton, based on recent articles:

1. Climate Change Impacts on Phytoplankton:

• Ocean Warming and Biomass:

  Warming ocean temperatures are causing shifts in phytoplankton distribution and biomass. 
• Reduced Productivity in Tropical Regions:

  Studies suggest that phytoplankton biomass is projected to decrease in tropical and subtropical regions due to lower nutrient supply rates. 
• Increased Growth in High Latitudes:

  Conversely, high-latitude regions are likely to see increased phytoplankton biomass due to the retreat of sea ice, longer growing seasons, and increased growth rates at higher temperatures. 
• Shifts in Community Structure:

  Climate change is not only affecting overall biomass but also altering the structure of phytoplankton communities, with some species potentially becoming locally extinct, while others colonize new regions. 
• Impacts on Marine Food Webs:

  Changes in phytoplankton abundance and composition can have cascading effects on the entire marine food web, affecting fish populations and marine mammals. 

2. Ocean Deserts and Coastal Blooms:

• Expanding Ocean Deserts:

  In the early 2000s, scientists detected that enormous zones of ocean with fewer nutrients and sparser phytoplankton, known as "ocean deserts", are expanding.
• Coastal Blooms:

  At the same time, coastal phytoplankton blooms, especially at higher latitudes, have grown and become more frequent, potentially disrupting coastal fisheries and people's livelihoods.