Microbes, echinoderms, and algae – a tale of two ecosystem collapses

Mass mortalities of echinoderms have led to major shifts in the ecology of coral reefs in the Caribbean and of kelp forests and rocky shores on the north-west Pacific coast. These have had major implications for biodiversity, carbon capture, and economic impacts on coastal communities. Each case involves microbial activities, echinoderms in two different classes, … Continue reading Microbes, echinoderms, and algae – a tale of two ecosystem collapses →

Mixing it up — ocean food webs

Many “phytoplankton” obtain nutrition from sources other than photosynthesis and many "zooplankton" are photosynthetic. Investigating these properties has led to shifts in our understanding of ocean biogeochemical cycles and has implications for predicting future changes caused by rising CO2 levels and ocean warming. Definitions of plankton In aquatic biology, the terms used to describe plankton were … Continue reading Mixing it up — ocean food webs →