A new cross-journal special feature will explore the challenges facing marine ecosystems brought by increasing temperatures. The call for proposals closes 10th August 2023.
As temperatures continue to rise in the oceans, marine systems are experiencing an increase in both the frequency and intensity of extreme climatic events. As such, marine heatwaves (MHWs), discrete periods of extreme warm water temperatures, are emerging as one of the most pervasive threats to marine animal biodiversity.
From coastal shallow areas to the deep sea, through tropical, temperate and polar ecosystems, MHWs are re-shaping animal life in the oceans across all levels of ecological organization, compromising their resilience and their provision of ecosystem services to human societies. These extreme events are predicted to increase in the coming decades, even if emission reduction policies are effectively applied. Consequently, improving our understanding of the responses of marine ecological systems at different levels (from individuals to communities) to MHWs is essential to anticipate irreversible changes in their functioning and potential ecological collapse.
This special feature will welcome contributions that explore the direct and/or indirect, immediate and/or long-term impacts of MHWs on marine animals across disciplines (e.g., oceanography, limnology, population and community ecology, behavioral and functional ecology), levels of organization (e.g., individuals, populations, communities) and taxonomic groups (e.g., fish, invertebrates, marine mammals…). The special feature also welcomes studies taking place at different spatial and temporal scales, such as those related to the exploration of the past, current, and future MHW trends. Contributions using novel approaches (e.g., to better predict the occurrence of MHWs) or exploring conservation, adaptation and/or management strategies are also encouraged.
Overall, this joint Special Feature between Journal of Animal Ecology, Functional Ecology, and Journal of Ecology aims to provide an interdisciplinary and cross-taxonomic view of one of the most pressing topics in marine animal science, rendering a general overview of the vulnerability of animal life to current and future marine heatwave conditions.
Click here to find out more and submit your proposal
Deadline for proposals: 10th August 2023
You can explore all our current open calls across the BES journals here.
Animal Ecology in Focus 