The recent expansion of the Panama Canal, completed in 2016, not only improves shipping transit but also disrupts marine ecosystems by enabling the cross-invasion of fish species between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. This new study highlights the phenomenon of Lessepsian migration, where artificial canals facilitate biological invasions. Unlike the Suez Canal, the Panama Canal, with its elevated locks and fresh Gatun Lake, may initially seem to resist invaders. However, as ecosystems adapt, the effects of climate change further enable invasive species, prompting concerns over ecological stability.
The recent expansion of the Panama Canal has raised concerns as it favors a restructuring of the ecosystem, facilitating cross-invasions of fish species between the Atlantic and Pacific.
The phenomenon of biological invasions through artificial canals, termed Lessepsian migration, has been observed since the Suez Canal's inception, leading to significant changes in local ecosystems.
Unlike the Suez Canal, the Panama Canal employs locks that create a biological barrier, impacting how marine species navigate between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
Gustavo Castellanos-Galindo notes that many scientists propose the Mediterranean's increasing tropical nature is aiding the success of Red Sea invasive species, showcasing a broader ecological shift.
Collection
[
|
...
]