The Aporia · Rising seas threaten spread of marine invaders, scientists say

Scientists warn that rising sea levels due to climate change could facilitate the spread of invasive marine species into newly flooded coastal areas, threatening both biodiversity and certain economic activities. Researchers at Beijing Normal University published a study in Nature Ecology & Evolution on September 28, which models how about 122 established non-native marine animals might expand their range under different climate scenarios. The study projects that global sea levels could rise by approximately 56 cm by 2100, potentially flooding up to 550,000 square kilometers of coastal land and making around two-thirds of this newly flooded area suitable for invasive species. Regions particularly at risk include the eastern United States, North Sea, Gulf of Guinea, and northern Australia.

Written by AI on 2026-09-28, from this article's own text only (the story summary below draws on all the coverage).

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Sea-level rise driven by climate change could facilitate the spread of invasive marine species into newly flooded coastal areas, posing threats to biodiversity and certain economic activities, according to researchers. Published on Sept 28, their study in *Nature Ecology & Evolution* reveals how global warming alters ecosystems, creating new niches for non-native species. Co-author Xuan Liu from Beijing Normal University warns that this could expose previously unaffected ecosystems and human activities to these invasive species.

The research models the potential future spread of 122 established non-native marine animals, including fish, crustaceans, molluscs, and sea stars, under different climate and sea-level scenarios. Global sea levels are projected to rise by approximately 20cm by 2050 and 56cm by 2100, under a moderate growth in greenhouse gas emissions scenario. This rising tide could enable invasive species to move into areas previously unsuitable for their habitation, potentially disrupting local ecosystems and economies.

Written for “Sea Level Rise Invaders Threat” on 2026-11-02, grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.

📰 Sea Level Rise Invaders Threat

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The findings in Nature Ecology & Evolution highlight the links between the climate and biodiversity crises, with global warming altering ecosystems and creating new opportunities for non-native species to thrive.

framing: mixed · carried by 1 article(s) · first seen 2026-09-28

🔮 Rising seas threaten spread of marine invaders, scientists say PARIS – Sea-level rise driven by climate change could help invasive marine species spread into newly flooded coastal areas, threatening biodiversity and some economic activities, researchers warned in a study published on Sept 28.

2026-09-28 · The Straits Times

Rising seas threaten spread of marine invaders, scientists say · mixed framing

Rising seas threaten spread of marine invaders, scientists say PARIS – Sea-level rise driven by climate change could help invasive marine species spread into newly flooded coastal areas, threatening biodiversity and some economic activities, researchers warned in a study published on Sept 28. uncertain

researchers → rise → Sept

species → highlight → opportunities

That could “potentially expose ecosystems and human activities that have not previously been affected by these species,” said study co-author Xuan Liu of Beijing Normal University. uncertain

Liu → expose → University

The researchers modelled the potential future spread of 122 established non-native marine animals, including fish, crustaceans, molluscs and sea stars, under different climate and sea-level scenarios. asserted

researchers → model → scenarios

Climate change causes sea levels to rise through thermal expansion – ocean water increases in volume as it warms – and the melting of glaciers and ice sheets. asserted

it → cause → glaciers

Global sea levels are projected to rise by about 20cm by 2050 and 56 cm by 2100 under a scenario of moderate growth in greenhouse gas emissions. asserted

levels → project → emissions

That would see around 360,000 sq km of coastal land flooded by mid-century, rising to 550,000 sq km by the end of the century. asserted

km → see → century

More than two-thirds of the newly flooded coastal land – roughly 290,000 to 470,000 sq km – could become suitable for the marine non-native animals studied, particularly around estuaries at mid-latitudes, the authors found. uncertain

authors → flood → latitudes

The risk is concentrated in regions including the eastern United States, Gulf of Mexico, North Sea, Gulf of Guinea, Arabian Gulf, northern Bay of Bengal, south-eastern China and northern Australia. asserted

risk → concentrate → Bengal

Several species examined are already established in Europe, including the Pacific oyster, Atlantic blue crab and the veined rapa whelk, a predatory sea snail. asserted

species → examine → oyster

“Estuaries are particularly at risk because they are directly connected to the ocean and are also major hubs of human activity,” Liu said. asserted

Liu → connect → activity

Such areas could provide stepping stones for marine invaders moving further inland as the sea advances, the study said. uncertain

study → provide → stones

The findings come as governments prepare for two UN-backed international summits on the twin biodiversity and climate crises: COP17 in October and COP31 in November. asserted

governments → come → November

A global assessment by the UN’s expert scientific panel on biodiversity, IPBES, estimated that economic costs from biological invasions exceeded US$423 billion in 2019. asserted

costs → estimate → 2019

Rising seas threaten spread of marine invaders, scientists say

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