at global warming is real and that one of the factors forcing climate change is the anthropogenic addition of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere.1 The implications of climate change for ecosystems are, however, not yet entirely understood. As the oceans cover 71% of the earth’s surface and play a major role in the global carbon cycle, it is important to understand how a changing climate will affect the biota not only of terrestrial systems, but also of the marine environment. Additionally, the community of States is increasingly becoming a