Climate crisis threatens the holiday paradise Mediterranean: jellyfish and species death!

Climate crisis threatens the holiday paradise Mediterranean: jellyfish and species death!

Mittelmeer, Italien - The Mediterranean, a highly valued destination for summer vacations, is increasingly under pressure through the climate crisis. Scientists warn of alarming consequences that show up in the region. The water temperatures no longer rise and no longer drop below ten degrees Celsius in winter. This has serious effects on the ecosystem, especially for types that are dependent on colder temperatures for reproduction, such as reports from Derwesten.de is.

Visitors, including snorkelers and divers, report noticeable changes. Seegrass meadows and horn coral forests are increasingly being displaced by slimy algae carpets. However, these changes are not the only challenges that the Mediterranean has to cope with. Extreme heat periods and frequent floods due to intensive rainfalls additionally strain the region. Higher water temperatures also lead to an increasing salt content and a decline in the oxygen content in the water, which can cause oxygen lack and mass die of fish and other sea creatures in flat sea areas.

ecological changes and their consequences

These dramatic changes in the ecosystem also bring the development of so -called "death zones". These areas where dying algae consume oxygen are increasingly common. While invasive species such as tropical fire fish and the killer algae Caulerpa Taxifolia displace domestic habitats, the jellyfish population also increases. A development that has been observed since around 2003 when an imbalance led to an explosive increase in the jellyfish. These jellyfish, formerly only sporadically occurring, have now become an annual event, which has a significant impact on the regional ecosystems, as the wwf .

The increase in jellyfish has an impact on fishing. Whipfound fishing networks and damage fishing devices, which means that the crews spend more time removing the jellyfish instead of increasing the catch. The tourism industry also suffers from this development, because beaches that are affected by jelly -over population lose attractiveness. This not only leads to a decline in the number of visitors, but also damages the economy in the affected communities.

urgent need for action

catices from climate change urgently demand measures to preserve the coastal landscapes and biodiversity in the Mediterranean. Suggestions to combat climate change include not only the reduction of overfishing and wastewater pollution, but also the reforestation of seaweed meadows. A quick action is required, since Italy, especially in medium and southern regions and on Sicily, already suffers from severe droughts. Frequent bush and forest fires in Greece, Spain, Italy and southern France are also a direct consequence of the climate crisis.

vacationers are encouraged to take local warnings and weather instructions seriously and to be aware of the ecological changes that affect the Mediterranean. The threatening developments in the ecosystem underline the need to take into account changed circumstances and to make a contribution to maintaining this popular holiday destination.