What is an example of an organism or ecosystem that has thrived when there has been such an extreme change to the environment as we are expecting now?

In Tasmania, invasive long-spined sea urchins, Centrostephanus rodgersii, have caused significant ecological issues in local marine ecosystems, made worse by climate change.

The sea urchins have multiplied rapidly due to a combination of factors linked to climate change. Warmer ocean temperatures have facilitated the range expansion and reproduction of these urchins. Additionally, disruptions in local ecosystems, such as overfishing of their natural predators, have led to their unchecked population growth.

Their increase in numbers and range expansion have resulted in the degradation of vital marine habitats, particularly adding to the destruction of giant kelp forests. The sea urchins graze voraciously on kelp, leading to 'urchin barrens'—areas where kelp forests have been decimated, leaving barren areas that lack biodiversity and ecological richness.

Climate change has contributed to the conditions favouring the increase of these sea urchins, exacerbating their impact on Tasmania's marine ecosystems. The combination of warmer waters, reduced predator pressure, and altered ecological balance has created an environment that allows the sea urchins to thrive, leading to significant ecological disruption around the state.