The Spanish Mediterranean is experiencing a notable change in the composition of its marine species. In recent years, researchers from the Malaga Oceanographic Centre (IEO-CSIC) have documented how Tropical fish that until recently were unknown in these waters They are gradually becoming established, especially in the Alboran Sea and the Strait of Gibraltar. This phenomenon, which for many resembles the landscapes of the Caribbean, is directly linked to global warming and the constant rise in sea temperature.
The arrival of these species is neither an anecdotal nor a temporary situation. The evidence collected by scientific teams reveals that it is a persistent and widespread process. raising concerns among experts about its impact on native biodiversity and the possible ecological alterations that could result from these changes in balance.
Increase in tropical species and key factors
Recent studies have identified 25 new records de peces in Spanish waters of the Mediterranean, of which 23 correspond to tropical species that had never before been observed in the area. The average temperature preferred by these fish is more than 6 degrees Celsius higher than that of the usual species., a figure that fits with the region's recent temperature increases. To better understand these changes, you can consult What is the ideal temperature for tropical fish?.
Among the species detected are the lionfish (Pterois miles), which comes from the Indian and Red Seas and is known for its poisonous spines; whale shark (Rhincodon typus), whose presence is usually associated with temperature peaks; and other tropical fish such as Cephalopholis taeniops, Paranthias furcifer y Surinamese Lobotes, common in Atlantic and African waters. Also, small fish unusual in the area, such as Buenia massutii, Gobius incognitus or Grammonus ater, have been detected thanks to new records and environmental changes.
The phenomenon of tropicalization is most accused in Alboran, where the sea connects directly with the Atlantic and the currents facilitate the arrival of exotic species. Also, the human pressure in the area, derived from intense maritime traffic and tourism, contributes to the area's vulnerability to the invasion of new species.
Geographic inequality in tropicalization
This process of change does not affect the entire Mediterranean coast in the same way. The Levantine-Balearic demarcation, for example, barely shows any signs of this phenomenon., while Alboran and the Strait of Gibraltar are particularly affected areas. The difference lies in the oceanographic complexity from the south, its proximity to the Atlantic and greater exposure to anthropogenic factors, making the region an epicenter for the study of the effects of climate change on the sea.
Research indicates that More than 36% of the new species recorded in Alboran are related to tropicalization, a significant figure that points to an accelerated transformation compared to other areas.
Ecological consequences and necessary monitoring
displacement de peces natives by tropical species It can modify the food chain and generate imbalances in coastal ecosystems. Changes in food webs can lead to biodiversity loss and make marine habitats more vulnerable to future environmental changes or biological invasions. For a deeper understanding of how these changes affect ecosystems, see Fish and their role in habitats.
In addition, the expansion of has been detected invasive macroalgae such as Rugulopteryx okamurae, which increase ecological pressure in the region and further alter interactions between the species present.
Faced with this reality, the authors of the studies insist on the importance of continue monitoring biodiversity and to design adaptive conservation strategies that take into account both environmental factors and those generated by human activity. For more information on how to care for aquariums and the species that live in them, please consult reproduction de peces tropicals in aquariums.
The accelerated tropicalization of the Mediterranean poses an urgent challenge for the management of its ecosystems. Collaboration between scientific institutions and the implementation of conservation policies adapted to these changes are essential to maintaining marine balance and diversity in the coming decades.
