Scientists have detected that the Alboran Sea, at the western end of the Mediterranean, is undergoing a striking ecological transformation., driven primarily by the global warmingThis trend is reflected in the arrival of new species de peces tropical, marking a change in the marine biodiversity of the area.
The presence de peces never before recorded in southern Spanish waters This has surprised experts and local fishermen. The results of recent research indicate that the species composition is changing rapidly, especially in the area between the Strait of Gibraltar and the Alboran Sea itself. The phenomenon, now known as "tropicalization," is a tangible reflection of how rising water temperatures are altering the natural balance of these ecosystems.
Changes in biodiversity: new species and a warmer sea
In the latest scientific analyses, 25 new specimens have been recorded. de peces in the Spanish Mediterranean, of which 23 had no previous history in the area. The most striking It is not just the number, but the thermal preference of these species: The new additions prefer warmer waters, with average temperatures more than 6 degrees higher than usual species. This reveals how global climate change affects biodiversity, especially in areas such as the Alboran Sea..
José Carlos Báez, researcher at the Spanish Institute of Oceanography and co-author of the study, highlights that The Alboran Sea and Strait of Gibraltar region are facing a particularly severe impact., compared to other areas such as the Levantine-Balearic demarcation. Here the evidence is clear: the uneven distribution of the effects of marine warming reflects how some sectors are more vulnerable than others.
Among the factors that favor tropicalization found the sustained increase in water temperature, the entry of species through Atlantic connections y involuntary transfer de peces and algae from other regions, plus intense human pressure, derived from the Maritime traffic and tourism on the Andalusian coast. This environment favors that exotic species find a suitable habitat for their development in the Alboran Sea.
Ecological impacts and emblematic species detected
Not only are more species arriving, but some are also showing striking characteristics.. Specimens such as the lionfish (Pterois miles), known for its invasive expansion into other seas, or the whale shark (Rhincodon typus), are usually detected sporadically and can be related to natural phenomena as well as human action and rising temperatures.
Up to 36% of new sightings are directly associated with the tropicalization process., including species such as Cephalopholis taeniops, Surinamese Lobotes y Paranthias furcifer. In addition, part of the records correspond to cryptic species, whose similarity to other local species had previously made its identification difficult.
displacement de peces native species by these new species could have cascading effects about food relations and ecosystem stability, warns researcher Davinia Torreblanca. The massive introduction of algae such as Rugulopteryx okamurae and other ecological disturbances aggravate the challenges facing the Alboran Sea.
Recommendations and future of marine management
Experts insist on the need to continuously monitor the evolution of marine biodiversity. in the Alboran Sea and other Mediterranean areas. Recommendations such as integrate environmental variables and human factors (such as tourism, intensive fishing and maritime traffic) in monitoring programs are essential to anticipate and reduce potential negative impacts.
The conservation of these ecosystems requires adopting flexible and adaptive policies., capable of responding to the rapid fluctuations caused by climate change. Knowing these processes thoroughly is essential for protect natural wealth and the interests of coastal communities.
The Alboran Sea has become a natural laboratory where warming and the arrival of tropical species serve as indicators of global change.Monitoring, science, and adaptive response will be key to maintaining ecological balance in the near future.