A groundbreaking study reveals that whale vocalizations serve as indicators of climate change effects on marine ecosystems. Conducted by scientists at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, the research analyzed whale songs recorded from 2015 to 2021, covering a period marked by a marine heat wave that severely impacted prey populations. The study found that whales sang less when prey was scarce and vocalized more when conditions improved, indicating their sensitivity to environmental changes. This data can provide insights for conservation strategies, highlighting the need to protect alternative foraging areas as ecosystems shift.
A new first-of-its kind study found the marine mammals vocalized less after a marine heat wave decimated their prey, making whale songs a barometer of the effects of climate change on ocean ecosystems.
Because they experience these very strong changes in their ecosystem in ways that we can perceive, they are good ecosystem sentinels.
The whales all exhibited the lowest levels of song when conditions were the worst, but vocalized more when the heat relented.
If they're seeking refuge in a new area that has more prey available, then we need to figure that out so we can protect those refuges.
Collection
[
|
...
]