The overlooked impacts of freshwater scarcity on oceans as evidenced by the Mediterranean Sea
Diego Macías, Berny Bisselink, César Carmona‐Moreno, Jean‐Noël Druon, Olaf Duteil, Elisa García‐Górriz, Bruna Grizzetti, Jordi Guillén, Svetla Miladinova, Alberto Pistocchi, Chiara Piroddi, Luca Polimene, Natalia Serpetti, Adolf Stips, Ioannis Trichakis, Ángel Udías, Olga Vigiak
Abstract
Water stress is an urgent issue in many regions worldwide, particularly in southern European countries. This study reveals the consequences of decreased freshwater flow on marine ecosystems in the Mediterranean Sea due to climate change and escalating water demands. A 41% reduction in river flow may result in a 10% decline in marine primary productivity and a 6% decrease in biomass of commercial fish and invertebrate species. Regional reductions could be as high as 12% and 35%, disrupting coastal and marine ecosystems and their related socio-economic sectors. The findings emphasize the importance of considering nutrient load changes in water management strategies and incorporating marine ecosystem requirements into environmental flow requirements for freshwater bodies. Integrated, source-to-sink management approaches are crucial for sustainable water resource utilization. Freshwater flow reduction in the Mediterranean Sea due to climate change and escalating water demand may cause a strong decline in marine productivity and commercial species biomass, affecting ecosystems and socio-economic activities.