Climate Change

Human induced climate change is the long-term alteration of temperature and typical weather patterns as a consequence of greenhouse gases emissions that are mainly released from the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, agricultural practices, land-use, and forest management practice. Climate change is a global challenge that is driving environmental changes and causes undesirable effects for ecosystems and human societies.

Oceans continue to limit global warming and supply oxygen, but climate change and other multiple pressures from human activities have been degrading marine ecosystems. . Climate change adds additional stress on ecosystems by enhancing impacts of other pressures on marine ecosystems by changing physico-chemical parameters of the ocean (i.e. temperature, pH (ocean acidification), oxygen content and salinity) beyond what organisms and ecosystems have experienced in an evolutionary timescale. When those parameters change faster than normal, it can have consequences for life on Earth.

Descriptor 1: Biodiversity is maintained

The quality and occurrence of habitats and the distribution and abundance of species are in line with prevailing physiographic, geographic and climatic conditions.

Descriptor 3: The population of commercial fish species is healthy

Populations of all commercially exploited fish and shellfish are within safe biological limits, exhibiting a population age and size distribution that is indicative of a healthy stock

Descriptor 4: Elements of food webs ensure long-term abundance and reproduction

All elements of the marine food webs, to the extent that they are known, occur at normal abundance and diversity and levels capable of ensuring the long-term abundance of the species and the retention of their full reproductive capacity

Descriptor 6: The sea floor integrity ensures functioning of the ecosystem

Sea-floor integrity is at a level that ensures that the structure and functions of the ecosystems are safeguarded and benthic ecosystems, in particular, are not adversely affected.

Descriptor 7: Permanent alteration of hydrographical conditions does not adversely affect the ecosystem

Permanent alteration of hydrographical conditions does not adversely affect marine ecosystems.

Human health and safety, quality of life, and the rate of economic growth are increasingly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. . Other impacts from anthropogenic climate change on marine ecosystems and on human society, such as sea level rise or increased storm frequency, are not further discussed here.

Increasing sea surface temperature and marine heat waves

Changes in fish distribution in the North-East Atlantic Ocean

There is increasing evidence of a northward shift in the distribution of marine plant- and animal species over recent decades (Poloczanska et al., 2016). This northward movement has been attributed mainly to global warming in the terrestrial, limnic and marine environments (e.g. Brander et al. 2016). However, the change in distribution might not be attributable to the changing climate alone, as other environmental and biotic factors influence species distributions. .

Over the last 45 years, an increase in the number of fish species was observed in the Celtic Sea, the Greater North Sea and the Baltic Sea (Figure 2). This change is mainly related to an increase in the number of warm-favouring (Lusitanian, L) species and, to a much lesser extent, an increase in the number of cool-favouring (Boreal, B) species. O

Figure 2: Temporal development of the ratio between the number of Lusitanian and Boreal species. (EAA, 2019a)

Melting of sea ice

Sea level rise

Global sea level rise has accelerated since the 1960s. The average rate of sea level rise over the period 1993-2018, when satellite measurements have been available, has been around 3.3 mm/year. Global mean sea level in 2300 will likely be 0.6-1.1 m above current levels for a low-emissions scenario and 2.3-5.4 m for a high-emissions scenario. (Figure 3). Extreme high coastal water levels have increased at most locations along the European coastline.

Figure 3: Spatial distribution of trends in mean sea level in European seas from January 1993 until February 2019 (EEA, 2019c).

Ocean acidification

Ocean acidification has wide-ranging impacts on marine ecosystems. Reduction of the carbonate availability reduces the rate of calcification of marine calcifying organisms, such as reef-building corals, shellfish and plankton. Ocean acidification has already affected the deep ocean, particularly at high latitudes. Change in pH affects biological processes, e.g. enzyme activities and photosynthesis, which effects primary production. These changes may be exacerbated by rising seawater temperatures. Changes in marine primary production will have an impact on the global carbon cycle and the absorption of atmospheric CO2 in the ocean and lower oceans capacity to mitigate climate change.

General outcomes of the regional assessments

Climate warming is adding another threat to current multiple pressures. The problem is critical, because higher temperatures will reduce the ventilation mechanisms by extending the length of the stratification period and reduce the solubility of oxygen in warmer waters.

The UNEP MAP Mid-Term Strategy 2016-2021 (UNEP MAP MTS) sets out the following two Strategic Objectives, i) To strengthen the resilience of the Mediterranean natural and socioeconomic systems to climate change by promoting integrated adaptation approaches and better understanding of impacts, and ii) To reduce anthropogenic pressure on coastal and marine to maintain their contribution to climate change adaptation

The UNEP MAP Mid-Term Strategy 2016-2021 (UNEP MAP MTS) sets out the following two Strategic Objectives:

To strengthen the resilience of the Mediterranean natural and socioeconomic systems to climate change by promoting integrated adaptation approaches and better understanding of impacts;
To reduce anthropogenic pressure on coastal and marine to maintain their contribution to climate change adaptation.

References

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Climate Change

Which are the related MSFD Descriptors?

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Increasing sea surface temperature and marine heat waves

Changes in fish distribution in the North-East Atlantic Ocean

Melting of sea ice

Sea level rise

Ocean acidification

General outcomes of the regional assessments

References