Why marine life is moving the wrong way in the North Atlantic
In short: Since the 1960s, nearly 80% of bottom-dwelling species in the North Atlantic have vanished from their deep-water habitats. Scientists suspect they are victims of a 'wrong-way migration,' a phenomenon driven by shifting environmental conditions that forces species into unfamiliar and potentially dangerous territories.
In the deep waters of the North Atlantic, a silent ecological shift has been unfolding for decades. Since the 1960s, approximately 80% of bottom-dwelling species have disappeared from these regions. This mass disappearance is potentially linked to a phenomenon known as wrong-way migration, where species move in directions that do not align with their historical ecological niches due to changing environmental stressors. This ecological disruption occurs as species are pushed into territories that no longer match their historical niches. Such movements are triggered by various environmental stressors that alter the deep-sea landscape. These shifts are often prompted by various environmental stressors that fundamentally transform the deep-sea landscape.
While the North Atlantic faces biological shifts, the human landscape is facing a different kind of mobility crisis. Climate change is driving significant shifts in human migration patterns globally. Natural hazards triggered 30.7 million displacements out of the 40.5 million people displaced throughout 2020. As global temperatures continue to rise, these numbers are expected to grow exponentially.
The scale of the upcoming challenge is immense. Scientists predict that ongoing climate change could trigger adverse events affecting roughly 143 million people in the Global South by the year 2050. These stressors—including rising temperatures, droughts, floods, and sea-level rise—create complex pathways for migration, often influenced by socio-economic and political factors. Addressing this requires not just local adaptation, but international support and compensation for loss and damage to ensure human security.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: A Story of Wrong-Way Migration, Caused By Climate Change
- Also: Climate-induced migration in the Global South: an in depth analysis - npj Climate Action
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/science-a-story-of-wrong-way-migration-caused-by-climate-change.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Science · Latest · A–Z · All topics
