The Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology (KIOST) has recently unveiled compelling evidence linking climate change to shifts in marine biodiversity along the Korean coastline. By employing advanced genetic connectivity analyses, their researchers confirmed that the marine gastropod species Turbo sazae is migrating northward from its traditional stronghold on Korea’s southern coast to the eastern coast, a shift closely associated with rising sea temperatures induced by global climate change.
This landmark discovery, detailed in their article published in the international journal Animals in May 2025, highlights how rising ocean temperatures are progressively remapping the habitable ranges of marine life. Prior to this study, Turbo sazae, a common marine snail species, predominantly occupied the temperate waters along Korea’s southern shores. However, comprehensive field surveys and genetic testing reveal a significant expansion nearing 37 degrees north latitude adjacent to Uljin on the eastern coast, suggesting real-time ecological changes underway in response to warming seas.
At the heart of this research lies a collaborative effort between KIOST’s Tropical and Subtropical Research Center and the Tidal Flat Research Institute at the National Institute of Fisheries Science. Led by Dr. Hyun-sung Yang and Dr. Young-Ghan Cho, these teams integrated ecological, physiological, and genetic datasets to understand how Turbo sazae populations exhibit remarkable connectivity between distant regions. The genetic analyses demonstrated strikingly similar haplotypes among snails from Jeju Island and those newly established along the eastern coast, signifying that larval dispersal via key ocean currents—such as the Tsushima Current—facilitates the northward colonization of new habitats.
From an ecological standpoint, this northward range expansion underscores the dynamic response of benthic ecosystems to climate-driven stressors. Of particular concern is the effect of ‘barren ground’ formation, a process characterized by the replacement of coastal kelp forests by white calcareous algae, which effectively transforms productive rocky habitats into near-deserts. Such habitat shifts have profound implications for benthic organisms, including Turbo sazae, whose populations and physiological states appear intricately linked to these environmental changes.
Further studies conducted by KIOST’s Jeju Bio Research Center reveal a nuanced understanding of the species’ population dynamics. Contrary to previous assumptions attributing population declines around Jeju Island to altered feeding behaviors driven by the proliferation of urchin barrens, the new research elucidates that reduced immune function—most likely due to elevated water temperatures—is the primary factor undermining Turbo sazae survival and reproduction. This insight is pivotal as it shifts the focus from trophic interactions to physiological resilience when considering the species’ response to climate stress.
The metabolisms and immune systems of marine invertebrates such as Turbo sazae are highly temperature-dependent. Prolonged exposure to warmer waters can suppress key immune pathways, rendering these organisms more vulnerable to pathogens and environmental stressors, which this comprehensive study confirms with robust experimental data published in Marine Environmental Research in February 2025. These findings signal broader implications for marine biodiversity under ongoing climate change scenarios: species that cannot adjust physiologically may face local extinctions or be forced to migrate in search of more hospitable environments.
Genetic connectivity analyses provided by the KIOST-led research highlight that the dispersal of Turbo sazae larvae is closely aligned with prevailing oceanic currents. The Tsushima Current, a warm-water current flowing northeastward along the Korean Peninsula’s southeastern shores, plays an instrumental role in ferrying larvae from southern populations toward more northerly coastal zones. This current-driven migration supports the species’ capacity to colonize novel habitats, effectively enabling range expansions consistent with shifting thermal niches.
Beyond its ecological significance, this research serves as an exceptional model for understanding the mechanisms underlying marine species’ responses to climatic perturbations. By integrating morphological assessments with genetic data and physiological experimentation, the study paints a comprehensive picture of how environmental pressures drive evolutionary and distributional changes in marine taxa. Such integrated approaches are vital in forecasting the future impacts of climate change on marine ecosystems and crafting adaptive management strategies.
The clear link established between rising sea temperatures and habitat shifts signifies a need for continued monitoring and scientific investigation. KIOST President Hyi Seung Lee emphasizes that temperature increases in marine environments represent a core driver of ecosystem change. He highlights KIOST’s commitment to advancing knowledge through science to anticipate and mitigate the consequences of climate-driven shifts in marine biodiversity, ensuring more resilient ecosystems and informed conservation policies.
Moreover, this research sheds light on broader patterns of marine biodiversity redistribution across the globe. Many marine species are exhibiting poleward shifts in their geographic ranges, underscoring the pervasive effects of climate change on oceanic life. The new findings about Turbo sazae exemplify this global phenomenon, offering concrete, genetically corroborated evidence of climate-induced biogeographical alterations in marine species assemblages.
Significantly, the study contributes to the conceptual framework of climate adaptation among marine organisms, underscoring the interplay between physiological tolerance, genetic connectivity, and environmental change. Understanding these complex dynamics is crucial in predicting which species can persist, adapt, or migrate as climate change accelerates. Also, the research underscores the importance of accounting for indirect effects, such as compromised immune function, rather than focusing solely on direct habitat alterations.
In conclusion, the comprehensive work conducted by KIOST and its partners provides a scientific breakthrough in marine biology, offering critical insights into how climate change is reshaping marine life along Korea’s coasts. The northward expansion of Turbo sazae delineated through genetic markers, physiological analyses, and oceanographic context represents a telling case of climate-induced ecological change. This research not only advances academic understanding but also provides actionable information essential for coastal ecosystem conservation and sustainable management in an era of rapidly changing ocean climates.
Subject of Research: Not applicable
Article Title: Climate Change Alters Distribution of Sea Life
News Publication Date: 26-Jun-2025
Web References: http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ani15091321
References:
- Yang, H.-s., Kwon, K.-m., Roh, H.-s., Cho, Y.-G., et al. (2025). Insights into the Genetic Connectivity and Climate-Driven Northward Range Expansion of Turbo sazae (Gastropoda: Turbinidae) Along the Eastern Coast of Korea. Animals, May 2, 2025.
- Ryu, Y.-k., Oh, C., Yang, H.-s. (2025). Effect of Diet Changes in Benthic Ecosystems Owing to Climate Change on the Physiological Responses of Turbo sazae in Waters Around Jeju Island, Korea. Marine Environmental Research, Feb. 6, 2025.
Keywords: Climate Change, Marine Biodiversity, Turbo sazae, Genetic Connectivity, Sea Temperature Rise, Range Expansion, Ocean Currents, Tsushima Current, Marine Ecosystems, Immune Function, Benthic Systems, Marine Gastropods
