Citation
(2007), "Ocean productivity set to fall", International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, Vol. 56 No. 8. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijppm.2007.07956hab.005
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2007, Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Ocean productivity set to fall
Global warming could cause a rapid overall reduction in marine life resulting from diminished ocean productivity, according to a study published recently in the journal Nature.
The researchers, led by Michael Behrenfeld of Oregon State University, say that the growth of phytoplankton – the basis of the ocean food chain – is likely to be reduced by climate change.
“This clearly showed that overall ocean productivity decreases when the climate warms”, said Behrenfeld, a professor of botany and expert on remote sensing of marine biology. “There is significant regional variability, with some areas showing enhanced production and some area losses. But on a global basis there is an inverse relationship – increased temperatures cause decreased marine phytoplankton production.”
The findings are based on a decade-long analysis of satellite data from NASA’s SeaWiFS satellite, which measures phytoplankton by changes in the colour of the ocean. More phytoplankton shift the sea colour from blue towards green. Ocean phytoplankton generate about half the world’s oxygen through photosynthesis. Compared to land plants, phytoplankton are considerably more productive in removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.