University of Adelaide research shows that in cases where biodiversity metrics show no change or little change, there may still be reorganisation of ecological communities in our oceans.
“The belief that climate change will alter global marine biodiversity is one of the most widely accepted,” said Professor Ivan Nagelkerken from the University of Adelaide’s Environment Institute and Southern Seas Ecology Laboratories.
“Commonly used biodiversity measures don't pick up reorganisation of marine communities due to ocean acidification because new species replace species that are lost.
“Little or no biodiversity change is detected when one community of marine species is replaced by another even under significant habitat loss.”
Read more at: University of Adelaide
Image shows kelp ecosystem change at an underwater CO2 vent. (Photo Credit: Professor Ivan Nagelkerken, University of Adelaide)