Near Shore & Regional Pelagic Waters Biodiversity

Study Shows Ocean “Deserts” are Expanding

"The least biologically productive areas of the oceans are expanding much faster than predicted, according to a new study by researchers at NOAA and the University of Hawaii. This change in ocean biology, linked to the warming of sea surface waters, may negatively affect the populations of many fish species trying to survive in these desert-like environments." - from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) news website

Red areas show the expansion of the least productive waters. Gray areas remained unproductive through the nine-year study. Blue areas are gaining in productivity over the time of the study.

+ High Resolution (Credit NOAA)

Last Updated 6/12/2012