In recent years, the increasing frequency and severity of wildfires due to climate warming have not only impacted land but also aquatic ecosystems. New research from the University of California San Diego reveals how wildfires influence aquatic systems, altering food webs and transforming the role of these ecosystems in the carbon cycle.
The study, led by Professor Jonathan Shurin, found that burned plant matter affects carbon storage and emissions in aquatic systems, with implications for water resources and ecosystem health. The research underscores the need for a comprehensive understanding of the interplay between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems in the face of climate change.