The theory that aquatic animals such as fish will shrink due to global warming has been called into question by a study published today in eLife.
The study found that warm water pollution increased growth rates but also death rates, resulting in a population of younger, but larger fish. The finding is at odds in part with general predictions of the effect of warming on natural ecosystems and highlights that these need to be tested in large-scale experiments.
Water warming study shows unexpected impact on fish size
The study found that warm water pollution increased growth rates but also death rates, resulting in a population of younger, but larger fish. The finding is at odds in part with general predictions of the effect of warming on natural ecosystems and highlights that these need to be tested in large-scale experiments.
Water warming study shows unexpected impact on fish size