14 DAY TRIAL // Higher-than-average temperatures reported worldwide have altered the behavior of several marine species, a new study published in the scientific journal Nature Climate Change argues.
More precisely, an international team of scientists has recently discovered that, due to climate change and global warming, numerous marine species are now migrating towards our planet's poles.
What the researchers mean is that these species can be seen feeding, breeding and living roughly 7.2 kilometers (4.47 miles) closer to the North and to the South Pole each and every year.
Land species have also been documented to migrate towards northern regions as the weather begins to warm up, Science Recorder informs us.
However, their recorded migration rate is by no means as impressive as that of marine species.
“The leading edge or front-line of marine species distributions is moving toward the poles at an average of 72 kilometers [44.73 miles] per decade – considerably faster than terrestrial species, which are moving poleward at an average of 6 kilometers [3.72 miles] per decade,” study lead author Elvira Poloczanska comments on the findings of this investigation.
“And this is occurring even though sea surface temperatures are warming three times slower than land temperature,” said researcher further details.
The scientists who have taken the time to investigate this issue say that, at least for the time being, invertebrate zooplankton and larval bony fish are the ones most responsive to these changes in marine environments.
Still, as global ocean temperatures continue to increase, there is little doubt that many other species will follow in their footsteps.
Interestingly enough, the scientists have also found that spring season in the ocean is now roughly 4 days longer than it used to be. By comparison, just two days have been added to spring season on land.
“This is the first comprehensive documentation of what is happening in our marine systems in relation to climate change.
“What it reveals is that the changes occurring on land are being matched by the oceans. And far from being a buffer and displaying more minor changes, what we’re seeing is a far stronger response from the oceans,” scientist Camille Parmesan at the University of Texas points out.