The sensory impacts of climate change: bathymetric shifts and visually mediated interactions in aquatic species.

ABSTRACT: Visual perception is, in part, a function of the ambient illumination spectrum. In aquatic environments, illumination depends upon the water's optical properties and depth, both of which can change due to anthropogenic impacts: turbidity is increasing in many aquatic habitats, and many species have shifted deeper in response to warming surface waters (known as bathymetric shifts). Although increasing turbidity and bathymetric shifts can result in similarly large changes to a species' optical environment, no studies have yet examined the impact of the latter on visually mediated interactions. Here, we examine a potential link between climate change and visual perception, with a focus on colour. We discuss (i) what is known about bathymetric shifts; (ii) how the impacts of bathymetric shifts

SUBMITTER: Caves EM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8059512 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature