Global Marine Mammal Biodiversity Patterns
Author Information
Author(s): Kristin Kaschner, Derek P. Tittensor, Jonathan Ready, Tim Gerrodette, Boris Worm
Primary Institution: Institute of Zoology, Albert-Ludwigs-University, Freiburg, Germany
Hypothesis
How will climate change affect the distribution and richness of marine mammal species worldwide?
Conclusion
The study predicts that climate change will moderately affect marine mammal biodiversity, with potential increases in richness at higher latitudes and decreases at lower latitudes.
Supporting Evidence
- Marine mammal richness is predicted to be highest in temperate waters of both hemispheres.
- Projected ocean warming may lead to moderate effects on marine mammal richness patterns.
- Increases in cetacean richness are expected above 40° latitude in both hemispheres.
Takeaway
This study looks at where marine mammals live and how climate change might change that. It finds that some areas will have more species while others will have fewer.
Methodology
The study used a Relative Environmental Suitability model to predict marine mammal distributions based on environmental data and expert knowledge.
Potential Biases
The study may overestimate the importance of bathymetry in determining species occurrence.
Limitations
The model assumes static habitat usage and does not account for all factors affecting marine mammal distributions, such as food supply and breeding habitat.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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