Research into the after effects of a heatwave in the waters of the Indian Ocean has yielded insights into how climate extremes might influence ocean life.
During the summer of 2010-11, waters along the Western Australian coast experienced the highest temperatures in at least 140 years, as a result of strong La Niňa conditions.
Research conducted in Jurien Bay, 250km north of Perth, indicated that fish species suited to cooler water remained in spite of rising temperatures, while species suited to warmer water moved in.
Changes were also observed among seabed organisms due to reduced seaweed cover in Jurien Bay. Meanwhile, species in Hamelin Bay, 250km south of Perth, did not appear to react to the heat wave.
Read more at The University of Western Australia