Premium
The nature, extent, and ecological implications of marine light pollution
Author(s) -
Davies Thomas W,
Duffy James P,
Bennie Jon,
Gaston Kevin J
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
frontiers in ecology and the environment
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.918
H-Index - 164
eISSN - 1540-9309
pISSN - 1540-9295
DOI - 10.1890/130281
Subject(s) - light pollution , marine ecosystem , ecosystem , artificial light , ecology , pollution , environmental science , human health , natural (archaeology) , geography , biology , physics , optics , medicine , illuminance , environmental health , archaeology , astronomy
Despite centuries of use, artificial light at night has only recently been recognized as a cause for environmental concern. Its global extent and ongoing encroachment into naturally lit ecosystems has sparked scientific interest into the many ways in which it may negatively affect human health, societal attitudes, scientific endeavors, and biological processes. Yet, perhaps because sources of artificial light are largely land based, the potential for artificial light pollution to interfere with the biology of the ocean has not been explored in any detail. There is little information on how light pollution affects those species, behaviors, and interactions that are informed by the intensity, spectra, and periodicity of natural nighttime light in marine ecosystems. Here, we provide an overview of the extent of marine light pollution, discuss how it changes the physical environment, and explore its potential role in shaping marine ecosystems.