Marine¹ ecosystems³ can be changed by night-time artificial lighting⁴ according to new research published in the Royal Society journal Biology Letters. The results indicate that light pollution from coastal⁵ communities, shipping⁶ and offshore⁷ infrastructure⁸ could be changing the composition of marine invertebrate⁹ communities. Researchers from the Universities of Exeter and Bangor used a raft in the Menai Strait to monitor how artificial light at night affects the settlement of marine invertebrates¹⁰ into new habitats. Light is an important cue which guides the larvae¹¹ of marine invertebrates as they search for suitable habitats to settle, grow and reproduce.

 

The researchers found that artificial light both suppressed and encouraged colonisation by several species common to British coasts, including sea squirts and keel worms. These species are often referred to as fouling¹² invertebrates as they adhere to humanmade structures sometimes causing problems in marinas, dockyards and aquaculture facilities.

 

The results indicate that artificial light -- increasingly used in coastal environments -- could encourage unwanted fouling in marinas and dockyards, but also alter the abundances of these species in the wider environment where they can provide important ecosystem² services.

 

Coral larvae, for example, use light to identify optimum habitats to settle in and grow into reef building adult structures. As tropical waters tend to be clearer than UK waters artificial light can penetrate¹³ deeper and disrupt a wider range of organisms.

 

Dr Tom Davies from the University of Exeter said: "We know that artificial light at night alters the behaviour of many marine animals but this is the first study to show that it can disrupt the development of ecological¹⁴ communities in the marine environment. Further research is urgently needed to assess what level of light can be considered 'safe' so that legislation can be put in place to minimise future light pollution from new and existing developments."

点击收听单词发音