Environment

Coastal marine food webs could be in danger of collapse due to rising carbon dioxide levels, according to new research from the University of Adelaide.

A marine food web is where plants and animals are connected to each other through feeding and the findings reveal that while some species benefit from rising carbon dioxide, other species are facing great risk.

Researchers Professor of Marine Biology, Ivan Nagelkerken, Professor of Ecology Sean Connell and PhD candidate Silvan Goldenberg said, “you could get over population of some species which they compete with other less abundant species, leading to overall collapse of species diversity and biodiversity.”

They added that we can lessen our impact on the environment by having proper coastal development where excessive nutrients are stopped from going directly into the ocean. By changing our focus on managing and conserving those habitats, “we can start thinking about strong ways in which to adapt to climate change,” they said.

Breakfast producer Sam Smith sat down with the three researchers, Professor Ivan Nagelkerken, Professor Sean Connell and PhD candidate Silvan Goldenberg.

Produced by Sam Smith

Image sourced from Pixabay