Marine Heat Wave Decimates Alaska’s Common Murre Population
A recent study published in the journal Science has revealed that a marine heat wave, known as “the Blob,” has led to the largest die-off of a single species in modern history. Approximately half of Alaska’s common murre population has perished due to warming ocean temperatures brought on by the Northeast Pacific heat wave from 2014 to 2016.
Common murres play a vital role in the marine food web in the Northern Hemisphere, but the catastrophic loss during the heat wave was unprecedented. Researchers from the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge monitored 13 colonies across the Gulf of Alaska and Bering Sea, finding over 62,000 murre carcasses by the end of the heat wave.
The declining food supply, particularly Pacific cod, caused by rising temperatures has made it difficult for the murres to recover. Despite efforts to monitor the population from 2016 to 2022, there have been no signs of recovery. The changes in the marine ecosystem are challenging the species’ ability to adapt.
While murres are struggling to survive in changing environments, other species like tufted puffins, king salmon, whales, and crabs are also facing challenges. The study highlights the impact of warming waters on marine life and the need for further research to understand the long-term effects of climate events on ecosystems.
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