Billions of snow crabs have disappeared from the ocean around Alaska in recent years, and scientists now say they know why: Warmer ocean temperatures likely caused them to starve to death.
Billions of snow crabs have disappeared from the ocean around Alaska in recent years, and scientists now say they know why: Warmer ocean temperatures likely caused them to starve to death.
Billions of snow crabs have disappeared from the ocean around Alaska in recent years, and scientists now say they know why: Warmer ocean temperatures likely caused them to starve to death.
The paper is here
6 billion down to 200,000 in 3 years. Give or take a few thousands
We might end up putting these guys on the endangered species list to protect them. If it continues at this rate it may not even matter.
They found that the temperature of the water was not above the species’ thermal limits, but it did increase their caloric needs considerably (see the Perspective by Kruse). This increase, in conjunction with a restriction in range, led to an unexpected mass starvation event.
So crabs eat more in warmer seasons, and they didn't have enough food. Good news is they will survive if the temperature doesn't increase another 1-2 degrees. Bad news is, we are still on track for that.
So it looks like a lot of us are going to have to get used to synthetic crab for a bit.
Ha ha! We're all going to die!
Then you have to consider, what sea life eats the crabs? What eats whatever those are.. etc etc. This is how the end begins in the oceans.