Climate Change and Anthropogenic Impacts on Marine Populations

Global warming

The rise in global mean temperature due to the rampant release of heat-trapping gases such as carbon dioxide and methane

Climate change

A general term that refers to many climatic factors such as temperature and precipitation, often at the global scale

Greenhouse gases (GHGs)

Heat-trapping gases mainly responsible for global warming

Carbon dioxide

Greenhouse gas with the chemical formula CO₂

Methane

Greenhouse gas with the chemical formula CH₄

Nitrous oxide

Greenhouse gas with the chemical formula N₂O

Flourinated gases

Industrially produced greenhouse gases mentioned in the module

Water vapor

Naturally occurring atmospheric component also listed as a greenhouse gas

0.8 ℃ increase

Approximate increase in global temperature since 1880

Anthropogenic sources of GHGs

Human-related activities contributing to greenhouse gas production

Changes in solar energy

Natural factor involving variations in the Sun’s energy output

Variation in the earth’s orbit

Natural cause of climate change involving changes in Earth’s path around the Sun

Volcanic eruptions

Geologic events that release particles and gases influencing Earth’s climate

Plate tectonics

Movement of Earth’s crustal plates identified as a natural cause of climate change

Climate feedback loops

Processes that amplify or reduce climatic changes

Important ocean changes associated with climate change

Major environmental changes linked with climate change according to Bashevkin et al. (2020)

Ocean warming

Increase in ocean temperature due to climate change

Sea level rise

Increase in average ocean height

Changing ocean circulation and salinity

Alteration in seawater movement and salt concentration

Ocean acidification

Process where oceans absorb excess carbon dioxide, lowering seawater pH

Ocean deoxygenation

Decrease in oxygen levels in ocean waters

Massive coral bleaching event

Widespread coral bleaching event that occurred in 1998

Sea surface temperature anomalies

Meaning of the acronym SSTA

Increasing coral bleaching frequency and intensity

Trend shown in the 1979–2010 coral bleaching figure

Mass mortality due to bleaching

Ecological consequence shown in the Tuamotu Archipelago figure

Giant clams

Organisms dominating the lagoonal habitat before collapse

Post-collapse lagoonal habitat

Condition indicated by mounts of empty shells in the figure

Melting of polar ice

Process contributing directly to sea level rise

Thermohaline circulation

Global ocean circulation system recalled in the salinity and circulation slide

Ocean acidification

Process that lowers ocean pH through increased carbon dioxide absorption

Ocean deoxygenation

Climate-driven marine condition resulting in lower dissolved oxygen concentrations

Bleaching hotspots

Areas associated with elevated sea surface temperatures in the Coral Triangle

1985–2006

Period covered by the Coral Triangle sea surface temperature trend figure

Philippines

Country highlighted as highly vulnerable to climate change

Typhoons

Tropical weather systems whose intensity and patterns may change due to climate change

El Niño Southern Oscillation

Meaning of ENSO

Central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean

Ocean region where ENSO temperature changes occur

ENSO

Climate pattern affecting rainfall, temperature, winds, and cyclones

El Niño

ENSO phase characterized by warming of the ocean surface or above-average SSTs

La Niña

ENSO phase characterized by cooling of the ocean surface or below-average SSTs

Neutral phase

ENSO phase when SSTs are close to average

Above-average SSTs

SST condition associated with the warming phase of ENSO

Below-average SSTs

SST condition associated with the cooling phase of ENSO

Neutral

Transition condition between warm and cold ENSO phases

Sea surface temperature (SST)

Parameter compared among La Niña, normal, and El Niño conditions

Wind patterns

Atmospheric concept recalled in the ENSO figure

La Niña, normal, and El Niño conditions

Three conditions compared in the mean December SST figure

Earth’s climate system

System examined in relation to forcing factors in the module objectives

Oceans

Major body of water emphasized for its role in climate regulation

Marine environment

Environment discussed in relation to climate change consequences, risks, and uncertainties