The overlooked impacts of freshwater scarcity on oceans as evidenced by the Mediterranean Sea

Diego Macias (), Berny Bisselink, Cesar Carmona-Moreno, Jean-Noël Druon, Olaf Duteil, Elisa Garcia-Gorriz, Bruna Grizzetti, Jordi Guillen, Svetla Miladinova, Alberto Pistocchi, Chiara Piroddi, Luca Polimene, Natalia Serpetti, Adolf Stips, Ioannis Trichakis, Angel Udias and Olga Vigiak
Additional contact information
Diego Macias: Joint Research Centre (JRC)
Berny Bisselink: L-8070
Cesar Carmona-Moreno: Joint Research Centre (JRC)
Jean-Noël Druon: Joint Research Centre (JRC)
Olaf Duteil: 17
Elisa Garcia-Gorriz: Joint Research Centre (JRC)
Bruna Grizzetti: Joint Research Centre (JRC)
Jordi Guillen: Joint Research Centre (JRC)
Svetla Miladinova: Institute of Mechanics
Alberto Pistocchi: Joint Research Centre (JRC)
Chiara Piroddi: Joint Research Centre (JRC)
Luca Polimene: Joint Research Centre (JRC)
Natalia Serpetti: Joint Research Centre (JRC)
Adolf Stips: Joint Research Centre (JRC)
Ioannis Trichakis: Joint Research Centre (JRC)
Angel Udias: Joint Research Centre (JRC)
Olga Vigiak: Joint Research Centre (JRC)

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-11

Abstract: Abstract Water stress is an urgent issue in many regions worldwide, particularly in southern European countries. This study reveals the consequences of decreased freshwater flow on marine ecosystems in the Mediterranean Sea due to climate change and escalating water demands. A 41% reduction in river flow may result in a 10% decline in marine primary productivity and a 6% decrease in biomass of commercial fish and invertebrate species. Regional reductions could be as high as 12% and 35%, disrupting coastal and marine ecosystems and their related socio-economic sectors. The findings emphasize the importance of considering nutrient load changes in water management strategies and incorporating marine ecosystem requirements into environmental flow requirements for freshwater bodies. Integrated, source-to-sink management approaches are crucial for sustainable water resource utilization.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-54979-4

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