Meiofauna Abundance Soars After Hurricane Disturbance

Scientists have discovered that hurricanes can actually boost the number and diversity of tiny creatures called meiofauna in tropical streams. After two major hurricanes hit Puerto Rico in 2017, researchers found that the stream's meiofaunal population increased significantly, with more species present than before the storms. This unexpected finding suggests that the destruction caused by the hurricanes may have created a temporary haven for these small organisms, possibly due to an increase in organic matter from defoliated trees and debris. While some of this effect was short-lived, the study's results provide new insights into how climate change is affecting ecosystems and highlight the importance of considering the impact of extreme weather events on smaller, often overlooked species.