Turkey's wildfires have significant long-term impacts on ocean life, claims researcher
Herdem Aslan, a marine biologist and the Chairperson of the Water Ecosystem Protection Association, recently shared insights on the effects of forest fires on marine ecosystems. Aslan, who works at the Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University, spoke to the Anadolu Agency (AA) about the long-lasting damage that forest fires can cause.
Forest fires release black carbon, a major driver of climate change, when organic compounds burn at high temperatures. This black carbon can reach oceans and seas via rivers and rainfall, causing significant harm to marine life.
Aslan observed the seabed covered with sediment one and a half years after the 2021 Marmaris fire. The sediment prevented organisms from receiving light and oxygen, causing many creatures to suffocate and die. This excess phytoplankton growth can provide food for fish larvae, but it can also lead to oxygen depletion in the seas, causing mass die-offs in marine life, as observed after the major forest fires in Australia in 2021.
Iron particles in ash carried by wind or rivers can increase photosynthesis in microorganisms, leading to excessive growth of phytoplankton and zooplankton. While this can provide food for larger marine life, it can also lead to oxygen depletion in seas, causing further harm.
Marine ecosystems are complex structures, and it is not easy to attribute all effects to fires alone. Controlled experiments can help better understand their outcomes. The Çanakkale Strait's strong currents could limit the accumulation of black carbon and iron particles generated by fires but not eliminate harm.
Pre-disaster data on the biodiversity of benthic organisms in the Çanakkale Strait exists, and future research can be used to make comparisons. Coral reefs suffer 100% mortality and seagrass meadows decline after forest fires, underscoring the urgent need for action.
The effects of climate change, including forest fires, are considered one of the biggest threats facing humanity today. Currently, about 6% of known marine sediments consist of black carbon, and this number may rise significantly if forest fires continue to increase. Forest fires release black carbon into the atmosphere, contributing to climate change.
Aslan's work highlights the importance of protecting our forests to preserve marine ecosystems. As the Chairperson of the Water Ecosystem Protection Association, he is dedicated to raising awareness and advocating for policies that protect our planet's fragile ecosystems.
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