Global warming is a hot issue that affects various aspects of life, including marine ecosystems. One of the most significant impacts of this phenomenon is rising sea water temperatures which result in damage to marine habitats. High water temperatures cause coral bleaching, namely the process of bleaching coral reefs which can result in mass deaths of various marine species that depend on corals as their main habitat. According to research, warming of more than 1.5°C could be enough to damage global coral reefs. Apart from temperature, increasing levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere also cause ocean acidification. This process has a negative impact on organisms that have hard shells, such as shellfish and molluscs. Acidification disrupts their ability to form shells, leading to population declines and disrupting food chains in marine ecosystems. Further impacts arise at upper trophic levels where predators that depend on these prey face a crisis. Rising sea levels caused by melting polar ice also threaten coastal ecosystems. Mangrove and seagrass areas, which serve as important habitats for many marine species, are threatened by saltwater intrusion. Damaged mangroves will reduce protection of coastlines and worsen erosion. They also contribute to the absorption of carbon dioxide, so damage to these ecosystems exacerbates global warming. Climate uncertainty and extreme weather fluctuations caused by global warming are having an impact on the migration patterns of several species. Moving species from one habitat to another can result in structural changes in marine communities, creating an imbalance in the ecosystem. Species that cannot adapt quickly, such as fish that depend on certain temperatures to thrive, are at risk of population decline. The instability of marine ecosystems also has a significant economic impact. Fishing, which is a source of livelihood for millions of people, is threatened by declining fish populations. Sustainable fisheries become a major challenge when fish stocks decline and certain species experience sharp declines. On the other hand, climate change can also accelerate the spread of invasive species which worsen the condition of local ecosystems. Public awareness of the importance of marine ecosystems is increasing, but concrete action is still needed. To prevent further losses, mitigation measures are needed, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions and protecting critical habitats. Climate stabilization and protection of marine biodiversity are key in maintaining the balance of marine ecosystems which are threatened by global warming.
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