Citation:
Fortunato, H. (2015) Mollusks: Tools in Environmental and Climate Research. American malacological bulletin, 33, 310-324.
Purpose:
The purpose of this paper is provide “an overview of the use of mollusks in environmental and impact studies,” ranging from paleo-environmental conditions to potential changes due to global warming. This paper looks at how the wide variety of mollusks provide insight into the environmental factors that influence ecosystem health and composition and why mollusks are key indicators of ecosystems around the world.
Methods:
This paper analyzes the use of mollusks as indicators for environmental conditions both in the past and for future changes in climate based on the composition of their shells. This meta-analysis bases its claims from a number of different studies regarding the use of magnesium calcite and aragonite compounds in mollusk shell composition as proxy data to evaluate paleo environmental conditions.
Results:
Due to the wide variety of mollusks habitats and the even wider variety of mollusk species globally, the various, yet specific chemical composition of their shells provides details in changes in environmental factors such as ocean warming, ocean acidification, and increased surface temperatures. The deposits of mollusk shells on the sea floor also gives indication of what past ocean conditions were like, acting as a proxy for ocean and climate data. Additionally, some species adapted better to changes in ocean temperature and pH, showing significant differences between the various species that show the versatility of the taxa for future studies as environmental indicators for climate change.
Significance to Palau:
As the paper examined, mollusks provide a way to gage ecosystem health and changes in climate and weather in the present and the past. Palau is home to hundreds of species of mollusks, both aquatic and terrestrial, that can provide insight into how each respective ecosystem will respond to climate change. Due to the rapid changes in climate in areas such as Palau, mollusk populations are more important than ever as a tool to study these effects. However, without considerable efforts made to conserve these populations, we are at risk of losing a vital part of the ecosystems of Palau and the regions around it. Conservation of mollusk populations in Palau will not only help an individual species, but all ecosystems on the islands as well as hundreds of other ecosystems worldwide through the knowledge studying mollusk populations can provide.
Fortunato, H. (2015) Mollusks: Tools in Environmental and Climate Research. American malacological bulletin, 33, 310-324.
Purpose:
The purpose of this paper is provide “an overview of the use of mollusks in environmental and impact studies,” ranging from paleo-environmental conditions to potential changes due to global warming. This paper looks at how the wide variety of mollusks provide insight into the environmental factors that influence ecosystem health and composition and why mollusks are key indicators of ecosystems around the world.
Methods:
This paper analyzes the use of mollusks as indicators for environmental conditions both in the past and for future changes in climate based on the composition of their shells. This meta-analysis bases its claims from a number of different studies regarding the use of magnesium calcite and aragonite compounds in mollusk shell composition as proxy data to evaluate paleo environmental conditions.
Results:
Due to the wide variety of mollusks habitats and the even wider variety of mollusk species globally, the various, yet specific chemical composition of their shells provides details in changes in environmental factors such as ocean warming, ocean acidification, and increased surface temperatures. The deposits of mollusk shells on the sea floor also gives indication of what past ocean conditions were like, acting as a proxy for ocean and climate data. Additionally, some species adapted better to changes in ocean temperature and pH, showing significant differences between the various species that show the versatility of the taxa for future studies as environmental indicators for climate change.
Significance to Palau:
As the paper examined, mollusks provide a way to gage ecosystem health and changes in climate and weather in the present and the past. Palau is home to hundreds of species of mollusks, both aquatic and terrestrial, that can provide insight into how each respective ecosystem will respond to climate change. Due to the rapid changes in climate in areas such as Palau, mollusk populations are more important than ever as a tool to study these effects. However, without considerable efforts made to conserve these populations, we are at risk of losing a vital part of the ecosystems of Palau and the regions around it. Conservation of mollusk populations in Palau will not only help an individual species, but all ecosystems on the islands as well as hundreds of other ecosystems worldwide through the knowledge studying mollusk populations can provide.
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