30% marine life prokaryotes may thrive amid climate change while larger marine life declines, potentially leading to reduced fish availability and challenges to global food supply.
Prokaryotes, the smallest and oldest creatures in oceans that include bacteria and archaea, may become climate change winners according to recent research. These organisms, which make up 30% of marine life, play a crucial role in maintaining oceanic balance and produce about 20 billion tonnes of carbon a year. While larger marine life faces decline, prokaryotes are expected to be less affected by ocean warming, which could lead to lower overall marine biomass and a greater share of nutrients being directed towards them. This shift could decrease the availability of fish for human consumption, limit the oceans' capacity to absorb carbon emissions, and present a major challenge to global food supply.
August 14, 2024
7 Articles