Weedy futures: can we benefit from the species that thrive in the marine Anthropocene?

Humans are changing the marine environment at an accelerating rate, causing species decline and loss of natural resources. But counter to these declining trends, some species appear to be thriving in response to environmental change. Focusing on three divergent taxa - algae, jellyfish, and cephalopo...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Frontiers in ecology and the environment 2018-12, Vol.16 (10), p.599-604
Main Authors: Doubleday, Zoë A, Connell, Sean D
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Algae
Anthropocene
Cephalopods
CONCEPTS AND QUESTIONS
Environmental changes
Human influences
Marine environment
Natural resources
Population decline
Species
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Summary:Humans are changing the marine environment at an accelerating rate, causing species decline and loss of natural resources. But counter to these declining trends, some species appear to be thriving in response to environmental change. Focusing on three divergent taxa - algae, jellyfish, and cephalopods - we discuss the concept of adaptable "weedy species'' and how they may be the ultimate beneficiaries of rapidly changing marine environments. We then show how such species could benefit society, not only by absorbing human impacts and providing sustainable forms of food, but also by reducing pressure on species in decline. As the world's demand for natural resources continues to grow in a global environment under increasing strain, we should take a closer look at weedy species to see what they can provide.
ISSN:1540-9295
1540-9309
DOI:10.1002/fee.1973