The unprecedented heat wave affecting western North America is said to have killed a billion mussels, clams, starfish and other animals living on the shores of the Salish Sea.
The latter borders the coasts of the province of British Columbia (Canada) and Washington State (United States).
The quantified estimate is the result of discoveries made on site by Canadian zoology professor Christopher Harley, reports
CNN
.
Dead mussels rotting in their shells
The teacher specialized in the study of the effects of climate change on the fauna of rocky beaches.
After the heat records recorded in the region at the end of June, he was shocked by what he saw in places he knows well.
He found incredible amounts of dead mussels, rotting in their open shells.
Christopher Harley spoke of a "catastrophe" he foresaw.
Heatwaves would have a devastating effect on the ecosystem
For his estimate, the academic explained that he relied on the fact that a surface the size of a hand can accommodate between 50 and 100 mussels and that the coast of the Salish Sea extends for nearly 6,500 km.
“You get very high numbers very quickly,” said Christopher Harley.
Then you start to add the other species, some of which are even more abundant ”.
Scientists are worried about the effects of heatwaves on the entire ecosystem.
Mussel beds are in fact the habitat of many other animals and are thus an effective indicator of the health of the oceans.
Planet
Which countries are the most exposed to weather disasters?
Planet
Heatwave, "dome of heat": 5 ways to live better with extreme heat
Animals
Planet
Environment
Heat
Heat wave
Canada