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Climate change worse for marine life than forecast, study finds
A new approach prevents contradictory results from cancelling each other out.
New analysis shows differing effects on different species.

A new analysis method of the effects of climate change on marine life has revealed the impact could be bigger than previously known.

The approach, conducted by researchers at the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, prevents seemingly contradictory results from individual studies from cancelling each other out when collated.

Marine biologists often calculate the effects of climate change by considering data from fish and invertebrate species together to develop an understanding of overall worldwide impact.

However this does not account for differing responses to climate change. This can mean that, if an element of climate change has a positive effect on one species but negative on the other, the effects are cancelled out in the analysis.

For example, snails were found to be eating more due to climate change while sea urchins were eating less.

Researchers say that both of these changes are significant to the marine ecosystem, affecting all other animals in the habitat. Turf algae, which would normally be eaten by sea urchins, grows more while kelp, eaten by gastropods, decreases.

Katharina Alter, lead author of the study, developed a new approach which would not cancel out contradictory results, but instead consider all results to determine how climate change affected fitness in an ecosystem.

Prior to this new approach, marine biologists acknowledged three ways that ocean warming and acidic seawater impacted the ecosystem: reduced survival rate, increased metabolism, and weakened skeletons in invertebrates.

The new method of analysis has since raised additional biological responses to climate change. Researchers say that the physiology, reproduction, behaviour and physical development of marine wildlife were also negatively impacted.

The research team says that mitigating the increase of carbon dioxide levels could reduce the negative impact of climate change on the biological processes of marine wildlife.

Dr Alter said: "Our new approach suggests that if ocean warming and acidification continue on the current trajectory, up to 100 per cent of the biological processes in fish and invertebrate species will be affected, while previous research methods found changes in only about 20 and 25 per cent of all processes, respectively."

The full study can be found in the journal Nature Communications.

Image © Shutterstock

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Free bloat webinar planned for dog owners

News Story 1
 The Kennel Club is inviting dog owners to attend a free webinar on gastric dilation-volvulus syndrome, also known as bloat.

Part of its health webinar series, the session will take place from 7pm to 8pm on 12 November. It will explore what scientific research has revealed about causes, symptoms, breed susceptibilities, diagnostic approaches, and treatment options, as well as looking at what future research could uncover.

The talk will be hosted by Mark Dunning, professor of small animal internal medicine at the University of Nottingham, and will include a 30-minute Q&A session.

Places can be booked here

Click here for more...
News Shorts
FIVP to represent independent practices at London Vet Show

The Federation of Independent Veterinary Practices (FIVP) will be at stand (S05) at this year's London Vet Show.

The not-for-profit organisation will be explaining how its expertise and resources can help independent practices to thrive in a competitive industry. It will also share how it has been representing independent practices in the ongoing CMA investigation.

On Thursday, FIVP member Steve Carter will be available to discuss how veterinary surgeons and nurses can pursue practice ownership.

FIVP will also be offering independent practices three months of free membership if they sign up at the stand.

Rita Dingwall, FIVP business development manager, said: "It's a wonderful opportunity to discuss our representation in the CMA enquiry and connect with like-minded individuals who share our passion for independent practice."