Meta-Analysis of Effect of Temperature on Growth Patterns in Marine and Freshwater Species
Faculty Mentor
Scott Santagata
Area of Research
Biology, Marine Biology
Major
Biology with Concentration in Evolution/Ecology
Description
INTRODUCTION: Climate change and ocean warming are occurring at an alarming rate that could pose ecological challenges to marine and freshwater species alike. Current data classify warming waters as a significant threat to the fitness of said species, however the magnitude at which changes to water temperature affects growth varies across species and environments.
METHOD: A meta-analysis of eleven distinct species from nine published studies was performed to examine how changes in water temperature influence growth patterns in early life-stage freshwater and marine species. Species analyzed span across temperate, tropical, subtropical, and transitional climate zones. With the given data, it is expected that warm-water reef fishes will exhibit high growth in higher temperatures, and cold, temperate fishes will exhibit high growth in moderate temperatures. Growth patterns affected by temperature will vary among each species, however marine species will likely be more susceptible to temperature changes, with freshwater species being more resilient to changes in water temperature.
RESULTS: The analysis correlates with the expected results. Growth patterns are significantly affected by changes in temperature, with all species showing decreased growth at extreme temperatures. The magnitude of growth patterns varies among each species, however freshwater species exhibited more resilience to temperature changes, while marine species exhibited positive growth under specific, preferred temperatures. Warm-water reef fishes exhibited positive growth at higher temperatures when compared with temperate, cold-water species.
DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: The data indicates changing water temperatures affect the growth of marine and freshwater species, with marine species being affected more severely. Freshwater species exhibited positive growth across a wider temperature range when compared to marine species, which only exhibited positive growth within their respective thermal ranges. With climate change predicted to worsen, the disruption to water temperatures will pose a significant threat to marine and freshwater species alike.
Meta-Analysis of Effect of Temperature on Growth Patterns in Marine and Freshwater Species
INTRODUCTION: Climate change and ocean warming are occurring at an alarming rate that could pose ecological challenges to marine and freshwater species alike. Current data classify warming waters as a significant threat to the fitness of said species, however the magnitude at which changes to water temperature affects growth varies across species and environments.
METHOD: A meta-analysis of eleven distinct species from nine published studies was performed to examine how changes in water temperature influence growth patterns in early life-stage freshwater and marine species. Species analyzed span across temperate, tropical, subtropical, and transitional climate zones. With the given data, it is expected that warm-water reef fishes will exhibit high growth in higher temperatures, and cold, temperate fishes will exhibit high growth in moderate temperatures. Growth patterns affected by temperature will vary among each species, however marine species will likely be more susceptible to temperature changes, with freshwater species being more resilient to changes in water temperature.
RESULTS: The analysis correlates with the expected results. Growth patterns are significantly affected by changes in temperature, with all species showing decreased growth at extreme temperatures. The magnitude of growth patterns varies among each species, however freshwater species exhibited more resilience to temperature changes, while marine species exhibited positive growth under specific, preferred temperatures. Warm-water reef fishes exhibited positive growth at higher temperatures when compared with temperate, cold-water species.
DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: The data indicates changing water temperatures affect the growth of marine and freshwater species, with marine species being affected more severely. Freshwater species exhibited positive growth across a wider temperature range when compared to marine species, which only exhibited positive growth within their respective thermal ranges. With climate change predicted to worsen, the disruption to water temperatures will pose a significant threat to marine and freshwater species alike.