How Do Hurricanes Affect Marine Life?

¿Cómo afectan los huracanes la vida marina?

Hurricanes, powerful storms that sweep across oceans, not only wreak havoc on land but also cause significant changes in marine ecosystems. From surface waters to ocean depths, these storms disrupt marine life in profound ways, altering both physical conditions and the behavior of ocean species.

Effects on Ocean Surface

As hurricanes move across the ocean, they generate massive waves and strong currents that can reach heights of up to 18 meters. These turbulent waters mix the warm surface layers with colder, deeper waters, drastically altering the temperature and salinity. Many marine species are highly sensitive to such abrupt changes, leading to stress and, in some cases, death

Impacto on Marine Species

Impact on Marine Species

During a hurricane, marine organisms face various challenges. More mobile species, such as sharks and whales, can often detect changes in water pressure and move to safer, deeper areas or away from the storm. However, slower-moving animals like sea turtles, mollusks, and some fish are often caught in strong currents, either being swept away or buried under displaced sediment  .

A study published in the Journal of Fish Biology examined how hurricanes affect reef and demersal fish species. Smaller, younger individuals are more likely to be disoriented by strong currents, leading to significant mortality rates. Hurricanes also disrupt the local food chain by displacing fish schools, impacting predator species that rely on them for food

Coral Reefs: Destruction and Recovery

Coral reefs are particularly vulnerable to hurricanes. Strong waves can break apart coral structures, reducing their ability to recover. Some corals, however, have mechanisms to regenerate, such as re-rooting broken fragments, which allows them to recolonize new areas. Despite these survival strategies, the damage from hurricanes can be so extensive that recovery may take decades  .

Hurricanes can also temporarily cool ocean waters, providing short-term relief for corals suffering from global warming-induced bleaching. However, excessive sediment accumulation can suffocate corals by blocking the sunlight they need, exacerbating bleaching events  .

Long-Term Changes

In the long term, hurricanes can permanently alter marine ecosystems. Affected areas may experience a redistribution of species due to the destruction of critical habitats like coral reefs, which are essential for marine biodiversity. These changes also impact predators that rely on prey populations, further disrupting the ecological balance. In regions where hurricanes are frequent, the recovery of ecosystems is slower, and more sensitive species may struggle to regenerate .

In conclusion, hurricanes significantly affect marine life, from altering physical ocean conditions to destroying habitats and displacing species. While some animals can adapt or flee, others suffer long-term consequences, highlighting the importance of protecting and conserving vulnerable marine ecosystems. In Tamiahua, although we haven’t experienced high-intensity hurricanes in recent years, starting in September, we face ‘nortes’ or cold fronts caused by cold winds coming from the United States, which creates a dynamic entirely different from hurricanes. Would you be interested in reading more about this?