Summary: In this article, Scientists have found that we can use tree rings to record data in ocean habitats. Lately ocean currents that deliver important nutrients to shallow water have become weaker and more variable. This affects fish and other marine animal populations. Tree rings have shown scientists different ocean up-welling/trends; one is the nutrients that are NOT getting to the phytoplankton. Tree rings have shown scientist that, "since 1950, California has experienced more winters with weak coastal up-welling than in the last five centuries" (para. 3). Researchers found weak up-welling causes lower population in fish and bird reproduction but, increased tree growth. The tree growth occurred because coastal up-welling causes storms to stay away and we end up seeing robust growth in trees. Trees and the marine eco-system have an inverse relationship. Coastal up-welling occurs in the winter months when there is high pressure builds up in the weather system. The phytoplankton relies on these influxes to mix the nutrients around in the ocean. Records of ocean currents and their affects only go back about 70 years, with tree rings scientists can gather a much longer record of what the ocean and the trees have been up to!
Reflection: This article really intrigued me, I think that it is really cool that we can use an organism that doesn't live int he water to tell us about our marine eco-system. It exemplifies how far we have come in the science field. Who knew we would ever be able to tell ocean currents and growth through tree rings? Research on the up-welling in the oceans should have a better and extensive study. A solution as to why since the 1950's have the up-welling been so week, is it because of us or something else? We need to keep our oceans healthy, not trash them with chemicals/litter. Trees now have another resource for us keeping them healthy and abundant is crucial. The phytoplankton, trees, fish, and bird population all live in sync; with weak up-welling or high pressure from the weather system it can all go down hill very fast or even up in the case of tree growth. This article opened my eyes to how important every little small detail in the eco-system really is.