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Ocean Depths: The Mesopelagic and Implications for Global Warming
Mark J Costello1, Sean Breyer2
1Institute of Marine Science, University of Auckland, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand.
Current Biology : CB
|January 11, 2017
Summary
The ocean
Area of Science:
- Marine Biology
- Oceanography
- Ecology
Background:
- The mesopelagic zone, or 'twilight zone', is crucial for the global carbon cycle despite being below the reach of photosynthesis.
- Understanding its boundaries is key to assessing ocean health and productivity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To define global depth boundaries for the mesopelagic zone.
- To utilize these boundaries for predicting the impact of global warming on fish production.
Main Methods:
- Compiled global echo-sounding data from ships to map pelagic animal distribution.
- Used animal distribution patterns to delineate mesopelagic zone boundaries worldwide.
Main Results:
- Established global-scale depth boundaries for the mesopelagic zone.
- Developed a predictive model for regional fish production under global warming scenarios.
Conclusions:
- The mesopelagic zone's boundaries can be mapped globally using acoustic data.
- This mapping provides a tool for forecasting climate change impacts on marine ecosystems and fisheries.
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