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Global Floating Kelp Forests Have Limited Protection Despite Intensifying Marine Heatwave Threats
MEDITERRANEAN SEA, JUL 1 – Sea surface temperatures in the western Mediterranean reached 30°C, with marine heatwaves now ten times more intense and lasting three times longer than pre-industrial levels, experts say.
- In early July, waters off Spain hit a record 30°C, with anomalies up to 6°C above average, highlighting severe early-summer marine heatwave conditions.
- Europe warms twice as fast as the global average, with the Mediterranean absorbing excess heat from greenhouse gases, driving record sea temperatures off Spain.
- Mercator Ocean International data show anomalies of 5–6°C above average with mean SST around 26°C, forecasted to persist under severe marine heatwave conditions.
- Severe marine heatwaves and record sea temperatures threaten ecosystems, strain infrastructure, and may cause lasting regional changes if climate action is not taken.
- Without urgent action, the Mediterranean Sea may undergo permanent changes due to increasing heatwave frequency and intensity driven by climate change, risking irreversible ecosystem and regional transformation.
17 Articles
17 Articles
Europe boils under marine heatwave. Here's what we know
A marine heatwave, combined with a heat dome, is scorching Europe, with temperatures surpassing 40 degrees Celsius in several places. Marine heatwaves are prolonged periods of abnormally high ocean temperatures. As the ocean warms, its ripple effects are also felt on land. The phenomenon has become more common and severe, triggering concerns. Here's why
The most intense warming within the so-called "marine heatwave" was observed in the western part of the Mediterranean Sea.
Global floating kelp forests have limited protection despite intensifying marine heatwave threats
Kelp forests are one of the earth’s most productive ecosystems and are at great risk from climate change, yet little is known regarding their current conservation status and global future threats. Here, by combining a global remote sensing dataset of floating kelp forests with climate data and projections, we find that exposure to projected marine heatwaves will increase ~6 to ~16 times in the long term (2081–2100) compared to contemporary (2001…
Ocean warming can have negative consequences for marine life.
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