Question

climate change is causing an increase in ocean temperatures. how might this affect the distribution and abundance of marine organisms, and subsequently the structure of marine food webs?
make it sound like a 9th grader

Answer 1

Climate change is making our oceans warmer, and this can really change the way marine organisms live and interact with each other. When ocean temperatures rise, many species of fish and other sea creatures might have to move to cooler waters. This means that some fish that used to be found in one area might leave, while others from cooler regions might start showing up.

For example, if a fish like cod can’t handle the warmer water, it might swim to a deeper part of the ocean or even migrate to a different area where the temperature is better for them. This migration can impact the balance of the ecosystem. If certain fish leave, their predators (like bigger fish or seals) won’t have enough food, and their populations could decline.

Additionally, warmer waters can affect the growth of plants and tiny organisms like phytoplankton, which are the base of the marine food web. If phytoplankton struggle to grow because of temperature changes, it can lead to less food for small fish, which in turn impacts the larger fish and animals that depend on them for food.

In short, as ocean temperatures rise, we might see some fish and other animals moving to new places, which can change who lives where. This could upset the usual food chains in the ocean and affect everything from the smallest plankton to the largest whales. It’s like taking pieces from a puzzle — when one piece is moved, the whole picture can change!