Time Series Observations Of Ocean Acidification A Key Tool For Documenting Impacts On A Changing Planet

Time-Series Observations of Ocean Acidification: a Key Tool for Documenting Impacts on a Changing Planet

Ocean acidification is a global phenomenon with local effects. Marine ecosystems are facing multiple stressors leading to significant changes. Time-series observations are the basis to understand these changes and distinguishing between natural and anthropogenic variability of physical, chemical, and biological components of marine environments. Moreover, field monitoring is often neglected as a tool to document the responses of marine organisms and key habitats to ocean acidification. Time-series observations of ocean acidification are thus critical to understanding the current threats that the ocean's ecosystems are witnessing and efficiently developing and implementing adaptation and mitigation solutions. Time-series dedicated to observing ocean acidification, other stressors, as well as biological parameters, are the baseline for long-term assessment of the ocean's health and for evaluating the efficiency of local and global actions toward achieving climate targets. Therefore, the goal of this Research Topic is to highlight the latest research efforts conducted to document ocean acidification patterns and trends and their consequences on marine life. In this issue, we will focus on new and old time-series stations, efforts to bridge physical, chemical, and biological observations, and their application for modeling and future projections.

The discovery of the unknown planet: The ocean

Rhodolith/Maërl Beds: A Global Perspective

Rhodolith beds are recognized internationally as a unique ecosystem, and they are the focus of this interdisciplinary book. These marine beds occur worldwide, from the tropics to the poles, ranging in depth from intertidal to deep subtidal habitats and they are also represented in extensive fossil deposits. In the light of international interest in rhodoliths and maerl concerning their role in coastal ecosystems and with respect to biodiversity, fisheries, and the production of sediment, this book provides the most comprehensive view possible. As readers will discover, rhodoliths/maerl are fundamental to a range of ecological processes, acting as ecosystem engineers including playing key roles in recruitment and providing nursery habitats. Rhodoliths/maerl have been used commercially in some parts of the world, and they are understood to be vulnerable to coastal modifications and human-induced change, and hence their status may serve as an indicator of ecosystem health. Rhodoliths/maerl contribute to global carbon budgets although the extent remains to be evaluated, as do the potential impacts of changing global climates and ocean acidification.