The Mediterranean Sea has a varied range of climates, with a range of temperatures that fluctuate throughout the year, however what is the average temperature? This article will look further into the climate and temperature of the Mediterranean Sea in order to gain a better understanding of this complex and fascinating body of water.
The Mediterranean Sea is located in the northern hemisphere of the earth and it spans from the Atlantic Ocean to the Black Sea, and from the Southern Ocean to the Middle Eastern region. Surrounding the Mediterranean Sea is a variety of countries including Spain, France, Italy and Cyprus. Spanning an area of about 965,000 square miles and with a maximum depth of about 16,000 feet, the Mediterranean Sea is a large and diverse body of water with a very distinctive climate.
The average temperature of the Mediterranean Sea is around 68 degrees Fahrenheit. This range of temperatures varies depending on the month, with the warmest temperatures experienced during the months of July and August, and the coldest temperatures experienced during the winter months of December and January. Furthermore, the Gulfs of the Mediterranean are generally warmer than the open waters, with temperatures of up to 85°F during the peak of summer.
The Mediterranean Sea contains a complex ecosystem resident to many species of fish. This environment is energetically unique, with ‘warm deep waters at the centre, cold waters near the surface in the north, warm to intermediate waters of the Gulfs in the south and the strong horizontal structure of the basin’. The fluctuating temperatures and abundance of life within the Mediterranean Sea are used by many species of fish for shelter and foraging purposes, making the temperature of the water an important factor that impacts the overall ecology of the environment.
The Mediterranean Sea has witnessed an increase in temperatures in recent years, with a study conducted in 2012 by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) indicating that the temperatures had increased by an average of 0.6°F since the 1930’s, with a projected increase of 0.7°F to 1.3°F in upcoming years. The rise in temperature can be attributed to the effects of global warming, with the Mediterranean being chosen as a testing area for the effects of climate change due to its popularity for tourism, with over 15 million tourists visiting the area each year.
Overall, the average temperature of the Mediterranean Sea is 68 degrees Fahrenheit, ranging from the peak of summer at 85°F to the winter months of December and January at below 60°F. With the effects of global warming, the temperatures of the Mediterranean Sea are expected to rise in the upcoming years, with studies conducted by the IPCC clearly demonstrating this.
Impact Of Temperature Increase On Wildlife
The increasing temperatures of the Mediterranean Sea have an indisputable impact on wildlife resident in the area, with rising temperatures disrupting resident species’ ability to hunt, reproduce and maintain a healthy population. Studies conducted by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) in 2017 demonstrate a direct correlation between rising temperatures and a decrease in fish longevity and reproduction rates, with fish, coral reefs, and other marine life being strongly impacted by the changing environment.
Additionally, the temperature of the Mediterranean Sea impacts the overall water chemistry of the area, including the acidity levels, salinity, and availability of oxygen and other key elements. As temperatures rise, these chemical variables become increasingly more erratic, with a significant difference in water chemistry observed between polar and equatorial regions. This impacts the overall flora and fauna of the Mediterranean Sea and further disrupts the delicate balance of the environment.
To combat the effects of rising temperatures, many countries have begun to address the problem and are implementing various strategies to reduce the temperature of the Mediterranean Sea. For example, the Spanish government has reinstated an ocean dumping ban to reduce the number of industrial chemicals and pollutants entering the Mediterranean Sea, while the governments of Italy and France are actively investing in research to better understand and reduce the effects of climate change on marine environments.
Ultimately, rising temperatures in the Mediterranean Sea illustrate the need for further action in order to protect the delicate environment of this unique body of water, and to maintain its natural beauty and diversity.
The Effects Of Oil Pollution
The Mediterranean Sea is renowned for its clean waters, however in recent years there has been a dramatic increase in the amount of oil pollution in this beloved area of the world. Evidence of oil pollution has been documented in the Mediterranean Sea since the 1970’s, and is largely attributed to offshore oil extraction, accidental shipping spills, and the misuse of fuel and oils for recreational activities.
The effects of oil pollution on the ecology of the Mediterranean Sea have been dire, with the WWF estimating that about 120 million gallons of oil has been released into the Mediterranean since the 1970’s, resulting in the destruction of entire populations of fish, coral and other aquatic life. In the Mediterranean, 64 percent of the oil spills originate from shipping activities while the remaining 36 percent is a result of offshore dumping and illegal waste disposal.
Studies conducted by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) indicate that the amount of oil pollution has increased by over 150 percent since the year 2000, demonstrating the need for urgent action in order to reduce the impacts of oil spills and illegal dumping on the delicate environment of the Mediterranean Sea.
Governments across the world are currently investing millions in order to reduce the effects of oil pollution on the Mediterranean Sea, with research programs being implemented to better understand the impacts of oil pollution, and efforts to introduce new technology and policies to reduce the amount of oil entering the Mediterranean Sea.
Overall, oil pollution in the Mediterranean Sea is a major environmental problem, and action must be taken in order to protect the delicate ecology of this very significant body of water.
Protection And Conservation Efforts
As the Mediterranean Sea is home to a vast array of species, the governments of countries surrounding this body of water have implemented numerous conservation and protection efforts in order to maintain the health and diversity of the environment.
The Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Mediterranean (Barcelona Convention) is a major international agreement between 22 countries to protect the integrity of the Mediterranean Sea. This international agreement includes plans and initiatives to tackle illegal dumping, air pollution, and the introduction of invasive species into the region.
In addition to international initiatives, many countries have also implemented their own conservation strategies to protect the Mediterranean Sea, such as the creation and protection of marine parks and coastal reserves. For example, the French Réserve Naturelle Nationale des Bouches de Bonifacio is one of the largest marine reserves in Europe, and the reserves of Calabria and Sperlonga are some of the most important breeding grounds for the Mediterranean seahorse.
Ultimately, the conservation of the Mediterranean Sea is vitally important in protecting the diversity and ecology of this unique body of water, and to combat the effects of global warming, oil pollution, and illegal dumping.
Response From Tourism Industry
Tourism plays a major role in the economy of the Mediterranean Sea region, and it is essential that the tourism industry acknowledges the need to protect the area if sustainability is to be achieved in the future.
The majority of tourism in the Mediterranean Sea is focused on the sun, sand and sea, with the are being renowned for its stunning landscapes, mild temperatures and abundance of marine life. However, with the effects of global warming and oil pollution becoming increasingly apparent, the tourism industry is being forced to acknowledge the need for change and to implement sustainable initiatives.
In response to the environmental crisis, many countries are moving towards sustainable tourism with initiatives to reduce environmental impacts and to conserve the delicate ecology of the area. For example, many hotels and resorts have adopted strict energy and water conservation policies, while initiatives to reduce air pollution are being implemented by many leading tour operators.
Overall, the tourism industry has an essential role to play in protecting the environment of the Mediterranean Sea and to maintain the sustainability of the region.
Social Impact Of Tourism
The Mediterranean Sea is an increasingly popular destination for tourists, and social implications of this influx of people must be taken into account if sustainability of the region is to be achieved.
The rise in tourism has led to a number of negative effects, such as increased congestion on roads and in areas of natural beauty, as well as a dramatic rise in prices of food and activities due to the ever-increasing demand.
Additionally, there is a growing trend of ‘overtourism’ in some of the most popular tourist areas, with a resulting negative impact on locals due to the loss of cuisine, culture and livelihoods. Moreover, some of the environmental impacts of tourism are becoming increasingly apparent, such as the increased littering in some areas.
In order to combat these problems and to ensure the sustainability of the Mediterranean Sea, governments across the region must take action to reduce overcrowding and the resulting environmental impacts of tourism resulting in the area.
Conclusion
The Mediterranean Sea is an incredible area of the world filled with diverse marine life and stunning coastlines, and understanding the average temperature, the effects of rising temperatures, and the resulting social and environmental impacts is essential if the region is to remain a natural wonder into the future.
