Figure 3.10

Figure 3.10 | The effect of environmental drivers differs depending upon organisms’ life history, and trophic strategy or habitat.

(a) pH variability differs for benthic invertebrates, such as sea urchins (in blue), and their pelagic larvae (in green); pH fluctuations over the annual cycle can be much larger in the water column (due to primary production) relative to the seafloor. Variability associated with behaviour and life stage strongly defines organisms’ niches and sensitivities to present and future conditions.

(b) Examples of organisms that are influenced by different suites of drivers that are set jointly by their habitat (e.g., benthic versus epipelagic settings) and trophic strategy (e.g., nutrients for phytoplankton, prey characteristics for grazers).