Ecuadorian gorgonian gardens are threatened by global warming

Image - enelmar.es 

The gorgonian gardens they are essential ecosystems for many marine animals, such as fish. However, as the planet warms could disappear as a result of the action of pathogenic fungi, especially Aspergillus sydowii, which is the main responsible for the massive mortality of gorgonians in the Caribbean.

According to a study carried out by researchers from the Higher Council for Scientific Research (CSIC) and published by the journal PLOS One, if environmental conditions change, this fungus could kill the gorgonians of Ecuador, where for now it is in a latent state.

There are a total of 17 species of fungi potentially pathogenic for gorgonians that have been detected in the Ecuadorian Pacific coast. All of them can cause significant damage, but the A. sydowii, which causes a disease known as aspergillosis, is the most lethal of all these microorganisms.

According to the CSIC researcher M. Mar Soler Hurtado, from the National Museum of Natural Sciences, »the presence of these pathogens, especially of A. sydowii, alerts us to the potential risk for the future survival of these benthic communities. Thus, these types of studies are of crucial importance in these ecosystems, where these fungi, far from affecting only gorgonians, would indirectly attack many organisms, representing one of the main dangers facing biodiversity worldwide.

Image - cram.org

The work, which has been carried out by researchers from the National Museum of Natural Sciences and the Royal Botanical Garden, shows us one of the numerous existing proofs that, indeed, changes in the climate are taking place and that it is time to take measures necessary to prevent such magnificent places as the gorgonian gardens from disappearing forever.

You can read the study here (It is in English).


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