Marine heatwaves (MHWs) are periods of unusually warm sea temperatures, recognised as one of the fastest emerging climate-related drivers of change in the ocean.
In response to that, a team of UK scientists - led by the National Oceanography Centre (NOC) and including researchers from the University of Plymouth - has identified the key questions that urgently need answering to develop a coordinated national response to this growing environmental threat.
They say the 40 priority questions must be addressed to improve our understanding of marine heatwaves, the impacts they might have in UK waters, and to help the nation prepare for future events. This marks the first coordinated national strategy to address the accelerating threat of MHWs to ecosystems, the blue economy and coastal communities.
Marine heatwaves can affect everything from plankton and fish stocks to coastal tourism, food security and mental health. The unprecedented marine heatwave surrounding the UK and Ireland in the summer of 2023 exposed critical gaps in our understanding of how these events unfold in UK waters and what they mean for society.
Using diverse interdisciplinary expertise, spanning ecology, climate science, economics, governance, human health and technology, the team's questions provide a definitive roadmap for researchers, policy makers, and funding bodies. This offers evidence-based direction for future investment and long-term climate resilience planning.
While the majority of impacts reported globally have been negative, the authors note that short-term opportunities may emerge in UK waters. For example, through shifts in species distribution that benefit specific fisheries or tourism sectors. Understanding which species or industries are likely to experience risk or opportunity is essential for developing realistic adaptation measures.
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