Halyna Romashko1
1University of Tsukuba, Japan
The coastal regions of Japan are warming at a rate significantly higher than the global average, making them hotspots for marine heatwave (MHW) activity. Climate change in the region is expected to intensify these MHWs, increasing their frequency, duration, and intensity, with the potential to cause severe damage to local ecosystems. Sea urchins play a crucial role in marine ecosystems by shaping and maintaining habitat structure. However, their early life stages are particularly sensitive to extreme temperatures. Given their ecological importance, it is crucial to investigate the vulnerability of these early stages to identify potential bottlenecks that could limit population resilience and long-term survival. This research aims to examine the effects of MHWs on the development, growth, and survival of sea urchins during their early life stages. Larvae were cultured under controlled experimental conditions that simulated various intensities and durations of MHWs, based on both historical records and projected climate data for Japan. These temperature regimes ensured ecological relevance to the local marine environment. Throughout the study, larvae were monitored at key developmental milestones, such as embryonic development, while growth metrics—including body size and morphology—were analysed to evaluate potential long-term developmental impacts. Survival rates were also recorded at each stage to determine their sensitivity to differing MHW intensities and durations. Disruptions to the early life stages of sea urchins can impair essential ecological processes, triggering cascading effects across marine ecosystems. This study’s findings will provide valuable insights into the impacts of MHWs on sea urchins in their most vulnerable stages and assess their capacity to adapt to future ocean conditions shaped by climate change.
Biography
Halyna Romashko is a Master’s student studying in Japan at Tsukuba University. She studies the impact of climate change on marine ecosystems. In her current work, she investigates marine heat waves (MHW) and their impact on early life stages of marine organisms by simulating MHW scenarios based on historical data and climate forecasts for coastal waters of Japan. The results of her research help to understand the mechanisms of adaptation of marine ecosystems to environmental changes.