Sharks could help improve climate forecasts, according to a new study, potentially making a “big difference” for coastal communities.
The research, conducted at the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School during lead author Laura H. McDonnell’s time there as a doctoral student, demonstrates that the “temperature and depth data” gathered by electronically-tagged sharks can improve the accuracy of ocean forecasts in the Northwest Atlantic, according to a release by the university.
“Sharks are already moving through parts of the ocean that are challenging for us to observe,” said McDonnell, who is now a postdoctoral investigator at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. “This research shows that data they collect can help fill important gaps and, when used carefully, can improve how we predict ocean conditions.”
How sharks can help us observe the ocean
According to atmospheric scientist Ben Kirtman, dean of UM’s Rosenstiel School and co-author of the study, which was originally published in the journal npj Climate and Atmospheric Science, satellite tags attached to the sharks record depth and temperature in real time as the predators move.
“Marine predators like sharks naturally seek out dynamic ocean features such as fronts and eddies,” Kirtman said. “These are areas where models often lack sufficient observations.”
This is the first study to “experimentally integrate animal-borne sensor data into a seasonal climate model and quantify its impact on forecast performance,” according the University of Miami, and has potential for future operational use. Still, it’s not the only time sharks have been used for forecasting – some researchers previously examined how sharks can help gather ocean data for improved hurricane predictions, according to USA TODAY.
McDonnell and co-author Neil Hammerschlag, executive director of the Shark Research Foundation, tagged 18 blue sharks and one shortfin mako shark in the Northwest Atlantic, predators that then transmitted more than 8,200 temperature-depth profiles across a wide range, down to nearly 2,000 meters.
“Marine animals are already being tracked to understand their behavior in relation to environmental conditions, but this study reveals how these data can also be leveraged for forecasting and climate applications,” Hammerschlag said.
Sharks’ impact would add to accuracy of existing tools
Though they’re not going to replace conventional monitoring systems, McDonnell said, the data sharks provide can serve as a useful complement to what’s already gathered. And since accurate ocean forecasts are “critical for fisheries management, marine operations, and understanding how climate variability affects coastal communities,” according to UM, using all available means to enhance predictions could be worthwhile.
“For fisheries and coastal communities, small improvements in ocean forecasts can make a big difference,” said Camrin Braun, co-author and WHOI oceanographer. “Reducing uncertainty helps people plan, whether that’s where to fish, how to manage resources, or how to respond to changing conditions.”
Sarah Perkel is a South Florida Connect Reporter for the USA TODAY Network’s Florida Connect team. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday day by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Florida researchers reveal how sharks could improve climate forecasts
Reporting by Sarah Perkel, USA TODAY NETWORK / Palm Beach Post
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
