Food chain's fuel runs low
MICROSCOPIC marine algae that form the basis of the ocean food chain have declined by two fifths in the past 60 years, scientists say.
Research published in the journal Nature said phytoplankton, described as the "fuel" on which marine ecosystems run, were experiencing declines of about 1 per cent of the average total a year.
The researchers, who constructed a database of observations dating back to 1899, said the falls translate to a 40 per cent drop in phytoplankton since 1950.
The change could have an impact on species from zooplankton to whales, seabirds, fish and humans. The declines were linked to rising sea-surface temperatures.
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Sunday 27 May 2012
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