Marine invertebrates in a high-CO2 world - case studies from echinoderms
Professor Maria Byrne
University of Sydney
This year our worthy and distinguished winner is Professor Maria Byrne from the University of Sydney who has undertaken pioneering research in several fields and amassed a significant body of peer reviewed scientific literature that continues to rise annually, with over 4000 citations from 250 refereed papers and other publications. Most significantly Prof. Byrne’s studies of larval ecologies of marine invertebrates (in particular sea stars and their relations) has led to discovery of new species and has shown that these species are highly responsive to environmental change (especially climate change) and can evolve rapidly. Prof Byrne has also shown ongoing grace and integrity across science advocacy and is the mentor and supervisor of multiple generations of graduate students.
Abstract
Global change is impacting world coastal and oceanic regions in four co-occurring CO2 driven stressors: warming, increased pCO2, decreased pH and decreased carbonate mineral saturation, with the latter three being highly... [ view full abstract ]
Global change is impacting world coastal and oceanic regions in four co-occurring CO2 driven stressors: warming, increased pCO2, decreased pH and decreased carbonate mineral saturation, with the latter three being highly correlated in ocean acidification.
Understanding outcomes for marine species is a challenge because all these stressors can affect biological processes individually and in combination and because their integrative effects are often synergistic. It is key to rank stressors to assist the design of orthogonal multistressor experiments.
Echinoderm life stages exhibit variable responses to warming and acidification. Overall, embryos are more tolerant than larvae to acidification, but are sensitive to warming. Calcifying larvae exhibit reduced growth in near future acidification and the magnitude of the response is modulated by temperature. Feeding larvae were more vulnerable than non-feeding larvae. As occurred in past extinction events, echinoderms with non-feeding and non-calcifying larvae are more resilient to climatic change stressors.
Long-term acclimation and trans-generational studies with sea urchins show tolerance for near, but not far future conditions. This indicates potential for acclimation and/or adaptation as the ocean changes over coming decades, but with likely alteration of population dynamics.
Session
P3 » Plenary (09:10 - Wednesday, 8th July, Costa Hall)
