Impacts on Marine Species and Ecosystems

Warming sea temperatures and changing ocean chemistry triggered by changes in climate may impact marine environments in the following ways:

• Ocean acidification can cause coral bleaching and loss of coral habitats for coral-associated species.
• Ocean acidification can impair many shell building organisms.
• Possible disruptions in the marine food chain.
• A potential loss of important coastal nursery areas/habitats (i.e., mangroves, salt marsh).