Ocean Biomass and Climate Change

Climate change is having profound impacts on marine life and ocean ecosystems. Changes in physical and chemical parameters are influencing biological processes on all levels of organisation, altering food web structure and ecosystem dynamics. This chapter provides a brief overview on observed climate change impacts on marine populations and ecosystems, and then synthesizes state-of-the-art ensemble model projections on global and coastal ocean biomass at different trophic levels. We highlight relevant consequences of projected biomass changes for fisheries and human development and discuss necessary adaptations in marine management, conservation, and governance to mitigate some climate change effects.