One species that has been notably affected by human activity is the copepod (Copepoda). Copepod are crustaceans that are so tiny they can fit on the tip of a pencil. They are a major food source in the sea as they are eaten by “countless larval crabs, fish, and squid” (10). Copepod are found throughout different ocean ecosystems, and they need to breed frequently to support the species that rely on them as a food source. Since copepod are so small, water behaves in a unique way when they move through it. They move by pushing through the water, “leaving temporary tunnels of disturbed water behind” (11). This is how male copepod find females to reproduce with. Males follow these trails like footprints and in some species, females can actually release pheromones that make their trails smell stronger. This process occurs in specific zones of the ocean depending on water temperature and salinity. However, as climate change progresses, the surface temperature of ocean water increases which can “shift where those layers can occur, how much oxygen exists (warmer water holds less oxygen), and the availability of food within each zone” (12). This confuses the copepod as they try to reproduce and, if they fail to do so, can decrease the availability of a vital food source for other creatures. Continue reading here...