Author
Dan A. Smale
Other affiliations: Natural Environment Research Council, University of Western Australia, National Oceanography Centre ...read more
Bio: Dan A. Smale is an academic researcher from Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. The author has contributed to research in topics: Kelp & Kelp forest. The author has an hindex of 38, co-authored 121 publications receiving 8154 citations. Previous affiliations of Dan A. Smale include Natural Environment Research Council & University of Western Australia.
Topics: Kelp, Kelp forest, Habitat, Biodiversity, Ecosystem
Papers published on a yearly basis
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University of Tasmania1, Dalhousie University2, University of New South Wales3, Scottish Association for Marine Science4, Aberystwyth University5, Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom6, University of Western Australia7, Australian Institute of Marine Science8, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation9, Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory10, University of Washington11
TL;DR: Using a range of ocean temperature data including global records of daily satellite observations, daily in situ measurements and gridded monthly in situ-based data sets, this work identifies significant increases in marine heatwaves over the past century.
Abstract: Heatwaves are important climatic extremes in atmospheric and oceanic systems that can have devastating and long-term impacts on ecosystems, with subsequent socioeconomic consequences. Recent prominent marine heatwaves have attracted considerable scientific and public interest. Despite this, a comprehensive assessment of how these ocean temperature extremes have been changing globally is missing. Using a range of ocean temperature data including global records of daily satellite observations, daily in situ measurements and gridded monthly in situ-based data sets, we identify significant increases in marine heatwaves over the past century. We find that from 1925 to 2016, global average marine heatwave frequency and duration increased by 34% and 17%, respectively, resulting in a 54% increase in annual marine heatwave days globally. Importantly, these trends can largely be explained by increases in mean ocean temperatures, suggesting that we can expect further increases in marine heatwave days under continued global warming.
919 citations
TL;DR: In 2011, the waters along the west coast of Australia experienced an unprecedented (in recorded times) warming event with warming anomalies of 2-4°C that persisted for more than ten weeks.
Abstract: In 2011 the waters along the west coast of Australia—a global hotspot of biodiversity—experienced an unprecedented (in recorded times) warming event with warming anomalies of 2–4 °C that persisted for more than ten weeks. Now research shows that biodiversity patterns of temperate seaweeds, invertebrates and fishes were significantly different following the warming event.
916 citations
University of Western Australia1, Curtin University2, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation3, Australian Institute of Marine Science4, Australian Museum5, Australian National University6, Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom7, University of Canterbury8, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria9
TL;DR: It is shown that extreme warming of a temperate kelp forest off Australia resulted not only in its collapse, but also in a shift in community composition that brought about an increase in herbivorous tropical fishes that prevent the reestablishment of kelp.
Abstract: Ecosystem reconfigurations arising from climate-driven changes in species distributions are expected to have profound ecological, social, and economic implications. Here we reveal a rapid climate-driven regime shift of Australian temperate reef communities, which lost their defining kelp forests and became dominated by persistent seaweed turfs. After decades of ocean warming, extreme marine heat waves forced a 100-kilometer range contraction of extensive kelp forests and saw temperate species replaced by seaweeds, invertebrates, corals, and fishes characteristic of subtropical and tropical waters. This community-wide tropicalization fundamentally altered key ecological processes, suppressing the recovery of kelp forests.
856 citations
Hobart Corporation1, University of New South Wales2, University of Western Australia3, Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom4, University of Tasmania5, Australian Institute of Marine Science6, Scottish Association for Marine Science7, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation8, Aberystwyth University9, Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory10, University of Washington11
TL;DR: In this article, a hierarchy of metrics that allow for different data sets to be used in identifying MHWs is proposed, which can be described by its duration, intensity, rate of evolution, and spatial extent.
829 citations
Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom1, University of Western Australia2, Australian Research Council3, Dalhousie University4, University of Tasmania5, University of Canterbury6, Aberystwyth University7, University of Tsukuba8, Scottish Association for Marine Science9, University of New South Wales10, Australian Institute of Marine Science11, Barcelona Supercomputing Center12, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation13, Hobart Corporation14, University of Washington15, Edith Cowan University16
TL;DR: In this article, the authors quantify trends and attributes of extreme regional ocean warming (marine heatwaves, MHWs) across all ocean basins and examine their biological impacts from species to ecosystems.
Abstract: The global ocean has warmed substantially over the past century, with far-reaching implications for marine ecosystems. Concurrent with long-term persistent warming, discrete periods of extreme regional ocean warming (marine heatwaves, MHWs) have increased in frequency. Here we quantify trends and attributes of MHWs across all ocean basins and examine their biological impacts from species to ecosystems. Multiple regions in the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian Oceans are particularly vulnerable to MHW intensification, due to the co-existence of high levels of biodiversity, a prevalence of species found at their warm range edges or concurrent non-climatic human impacts. The physical attributes of prominent MHWs varied considerably, but all had deleterious impacts across a range of biological processes and taxa, including critical foundation species (corals, seagrasses and kelps). MHWs, which will probably intensify with anthropogenic climate change, are rapidly emerging as forceful agents of disturbance with the capacity to restructure entire ecosystems and disrupt the provision of ecological goods and services in coming decades.
731 citations
Cited by
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Hobart Corporation1, University of Évora2, University of Copenhagen3, Spanish National Research Council4, Conservation International5, University of Wollongong6, University of Hong Kong7, National Cheng Kung University8, Umeå University9, James Cook University10, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation11, Stellenbosch University12, University of Cape Town13, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration14, Monash University15, Yale University16, University of Tasmania17, University of Picardie Jules Verne18, Southern Cross University19, University of Western Australia20, University of Eastern Finland21, University of Queensland22, Zoological Society of London23, National Oceanography Centre24, University of Florida25, University of California, Irvine26, La Trobe University27, University of British Columbia28, Academia Sinica29, University of New South Wales30
TL;DR: The negative effects of climate change cannot be adequately anticipated or prepared for unless species responses are explicitly included in decision-making and global strategic frameworks, and feedbacks on climate itself are documented.
Abstract: Distributions of Earth’s species are changing at accelerating rates, increasingly driven by human-mediated climate change. Such changes are already altering the composition of ecological communities, but beyond conservation of natural systems, how and why does this matter? We review evidence that climate-driven species redistribution at regional to global scales affects ecosystem functioning, human well-being, and the dynamics of climate change itself. Production of natural resources required for food security, patterns of disease transmission, and processes of carbon sequestration are all altered by changes in species distribution. Consideration of these effects of biodiversity redistribution is critical yet lacking in most mitigation and adaptation strategies, including the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals.
1,917 citations
01 Jan 1981
TL;DR: It is suggested that the reproductive season of certain long—lived, patch—dependent species is moulded by the disturbance regime, and the necessary and vital connection between disturbance which generates spatial pattern and species richness in communities open to invasion is discussed.
Abstract: The mussel Mytilus californianus is a competitive dominant on wave—swept rocky intertidal shores. Mussel beds may exist as extensive monocultures; more often they are an everchanging mosaic of many species which inhabit wave—generated patches or gaps. This paper describes observations and experiments designed to measure the critical parameters of a model of patch birth and death, and to use the model to predict the spatial structure of mussel beds. Most measurements were made at Tatoosh Island, Washington, USA, from 1970—1979. Patch size ranged at birth from a single mussel to 38 m2; the distribution of patch sizes approximates the lognormal. Birth rates varied seasonally and regionally. At Tatoosh the rate of patch formation varied during six winters from 0.4—5.4% of the mussels removed per month. The disturbance regime during the summer and at two mainland sites was 5—10 times less. Annual disturbance patterns tended to be synchronous within 11 sites on one face of Tatoosh over a 10—yr interval, and over larger distances (16 km) along the coastline. The pattern was asynchronous, however, among four Tatoosh localities. Patch birth rate, and mean and maximum size at birth can be used as adequate indices of disturbance. Patch disappearance (death) occurs by three mechanisms. Very small patches disappear almost immediately due to a leaning response of the border mussels (0.2 cm/d). Intermediate—sized patches (<3.0 m2) are eventually obliterated by lateral movement of the peripheral mussels: estimates based on 94 experimental patches yield a mean shrinking rate of 0.05 cm/d from each of two principal dimensions. Depth of the adjacent mussel bed accounts for much of the local variation in closing rate. In very large patches, mussels must recruit as larvae from the plankton. Recovery begins at an average patch age of 26 mo; rate of space occupation, primarily due to individual growth, is 2.0—2.5%/mo. Winter birth rates suggest a mean turnover time (rotation period) for mussel beds varying from 8.1—34.7 yr, depending on the location. The minimal value is in close agreement with both observed and calculated minimal recovery times. Projections of total patch area, based on the model, are accurate to within 5% of the observed. Using a method for determining the age of patches, based on a growth curve of the barnacle Balanus cariosus, the model permits predictions of the age—size structure of the patch population. The model predicts with excellent resolution the distribution of patch area in relation to time since last disturbance. The most detailed models which include size structure within age categories are inconclusive due to small sample size. Predictions are food for large patches, the major determinants of environmental patterns, but cannot deal adequately with smaller patches because of stochastic effects. Colonization data are given in relation to patch age, size and intertidal position. We suggest that the reproductive season of certain long—lived, patch—dependent species is moulded by the disturbance regime. The necessary and vital connection between disturbance which generates spatial pattern and species richness in communities open to invasion is discussed.
1,082 citations
Centre national de la recherche scientifique1, Pierre-and-Marie-Curie University2, Secretariat of the Pacific Community3, University of British Columbia4, Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research5, Oeschger Centre for Climate Change Research6, Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives7, Ocean Conservancy8, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration9, Australian Research Council10, University of Washington11, University of Oxford12, Scottish Natural Heritage13, International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources14, International Atomic Energy Agency15, Harvard University16, Plymouth Marine Laboratory17
TL;DR: The physics, chemistry, and ecology of the oceans might be affected based on two CO2 emission trajectories: one business as usual and one with aggressive reductions, consistent with the Copenhagen Accord of keeping mean global temperature increase below 2°C in the 21st century.
Abstract: The ocean moderates anthropogenic climate change at the cost of profound alterations of its physics, chemistry, ecology, and services. Here, we evaluate and compare the risks of impacts on marine and coastal ecosystems—and the goods and services they provide—for growing cumulative carbon emissions under two contrasting emissions scenarios. The current emissions trajectory would rapidly and significantly alter many ecosystems and the associated services on which humans heavily depend. A reduced emissions scenario—consistent with the Copenhagen Accord’s goal of a global temperature increase of less than 2°C—is much more favorable to the ocean but still substantially alters important marine ecosystems and associated goods and services. The management options to address ocean impacts narrow as the ocean warms and acidifies. Consequently, any new climate regime that fails to minimize ocean impacts would be incomplete and inadequate.
1,053 citations
University of Tasmania1, Dalhousie University2, University of New South Wales3, Scottish Association for Marine Science4, Aberystwyth University5, University of Western Australia6, Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom7, Australian Institute of Marine Science8, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation9, University of Washington10, Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory11
TL;DR: Using a range of ocean temperature data including global records of daily satellite observations, daily in situ measurements and gridded monthly in situ-based data sets, this work identifies significant increases in marine heatwaves over the past century.
Abstract: Heatwaves are important climatic extremes in atmospheric and oceanic systems that can have devastating and long-term impacts on ecosystems, with subsequent socioeconomic consequences. Recent prominent marine heatwaves have attracted considerable scientific and public interest. Despite this, a comprehensive assessment of how these ocean temperature extremes have been changing globally is missing. Using a range of ocean temperature data including global records of daily satellite observations, daily in situ measurements and gridded monthly in situ-based data sets, we identify significant increases in marine heatwaves over the past century. We find that from 1925 to 2016, global average marine heatwave frequency and duration increased by 34% and 17%, respectively, resulting in a 54% increase in annual marine heatwave days globally. Importantly, these trends can largely be explained by increases in mean ocean temperatures, suggesting that we can expect further increases in marine heatwave days under continued global warming.
919 citations
TL;DR: In 2011, the waters along the west coast of Australia experienced an unprecedented (in recorded times) warming event with warming anomalies of 2-4°C that persisted for more than ten weeks.
Abstract: In 2011 the waters along the west coast of Australia—a global hotspot of biodiversity—experienced an unprecedented (in recorded times) warming event with warming anomalies of 2–4 °C that persisted for more than ten weeks. Now research shows that biodiversity patterns of temperate seaweeds, invertebrates and fishes were significantly different following the warming event.
916 citations