Human impact on sea urchin abundance

In the longest running study of its kind, researchers found sea urchin populations were strongly affected by human-driven environmental change

Date:

April 25, 2018

Source:

Kyoto University

Summary:

In a 50-year study, researchers record the dynamics of three common species of sea urchins in Hatakejima Island, Wakayama.

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Arial view of Hatakejima Island, Wakayama, where the study took place over 50 years.

Credit: Kyoto University / Nakano Lab

Sea urchin populations are more sensitive to human activities than previously believed, according to a half-century observational study. Researchers found that changing water temperature and algal blooms strongly affected sea urchin populations and even caused some abnormal development of their larvae. The research is published in the journalEcological Indicators.