Ecological consquences of the greenhouse effect

The combined effects of rising temperatures, human activity and pollution are producing a volatile mix that may threaten global marine ecosystems, tropical corals and temperate species alike. Scientists report that global warming, pollution and human development are all indicted as contributing factors to the recent rise in life-ending disease outbreaks in aquatic ecosystems.

Rising temperatures are considered the cause of outbreaks of the toxic aquatic organism Pfiesteria piscicida has led to fish kills in Chesapeake Bay in Maryland USA, and the bleaching of coral reefs around the world.