Marine Heatwaves Disrupt Ecosystem Structure and Function via Altered Food Webs and Energy Flux

The prevalence and intensity of marine heatwaves is increasing globally, disrupting local environmental conditions. The individual and population-level impacts of prolonged heatwaves on marine species have recently been demonstrated, yet whole-ecosystem consequences remain unexplored.

We compare ecosystem models parameterized before and after the onset of recent marine heatwaves to evaluate the cascading effects on ecosystem structure and function in the Northeast Pacific Ocean. 

We show altered trophic relationships and energy flux have potentially profound consequences for ecosystem structure and function, and raise concerns for populations of threatened and harvested species.

Gomes DGE, Ruzicka JJ, Crozier LG, et al 2024. Marine heatwaves disrupt ecosystem structure and function via altered food webs and energy flux Nat Commun 15, 1988.
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-46263-2