A new study by scientists at Louisiana State University and Tulane University examines the fate of endemic fish species found only in the Gulf and potentially the most vulnerable to the spill. Their findings, published in a recent scientific paper, raise concerns about the potential loss of biodiversity.
The researchers compared museum collections, relevant literature, and biodiversity databases to assess changes in fish distribution after the spill. They found that 29 of 78 endemic fish species had not been documented in museum collections since 2010. While the study’s authors acknowledge that the absence of these species does not clearly link them to the leak, this is particularly concerning for species whose habitats overlap with the affected area.
The study highlights the long-term impact of such environmental disasters. The authors warn that “residual chemicals, lost wildlife generations, and ongoing ecosystem imbalances” could make recovery much more difficult.
Source: Ferra
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