Assessing which observations can most effectively monitor

The gap

Evidence profile

Sourced from the future-work section and stated research gap of the source papers, classified as general, spanning 5 journals.

Supporting evidence — 8 representative gaps

• Biogeochemical signal from marine heatwaves, cold spells, and transient warming events in a coastal upwelling system (2026) · Scientific Reports · doi

  Continued monitoring of thermal extremes and their impacts on biogeochemical cycling. Analysis of the impacts of marine heatwaves and cold spells on coastal ecosystems. Investigation of the effects of climate change on the frequency and intensity of extreme thermal events in coastal upwelling systems.

  generalfuture-work sectionevidence 5/5
  Keywords: continued monitoring thermal extremes impacts biogeochemical cycling analysis
• Spring–Summer Caribbean Sea marine heatwaves tied to previous Winter Indian Ocean marine heatwaves (2026) · Nature Communications · doi

  Further investigation of the atmospheric bridge mechanism involved in the teleconnection pathway. Development of improved climate models that can accurately predict marine heatwave occurrences. Investigation of the impacts of marine heatwaves on marine ecosystems and human societies.

  generalfuture-work sectionevidence 5/5
  Keywords: further investigation atmospheric bridge mechanism involved teleconnection pathway
• Linking Annual Maximum Sea Surface Temperature to Summer Marine Heatwave Occurrence in the Eastern China Seas (2026) · Water · doi

  The need for reliable indicators to support early prediction of marine heatwaves. The lack of understanding of the relationship between annual maximum sea surface temperature and summer marine heatwave occurrence. The need for a scientific basis for improving seasonal monitoring and early warning of marine heatwaves.

  generalstated research gapevidence 5/5
  Keywords: need reliable indicators support early prediction marine heatwaves
• Detected impacts of atmospheric rivers on marine heatwaves (2026) · Nature Communications · doi

  Further research is needed to understand the physical processes that govern the occurrence and evolution of marine heatwaves. Further research is needed to explore the impact of atmospheric rivers on marine heatwaves in other regions. Further research is needed to develop early warning systems for marine heatwaves.

  generalfuture-work sectionevidence 4/5
  Keywords: further research needed understand physical processes govern occurrence
• Modelling the impacts of marine heatwaves on plankton in the Salish Sea (2026) · Biogeosciences · doi

  Further research is needed to understand the impacts of marine heatwaves on the local food web. Studies should examine the impacts of multiple types of marine heatwaves on the Salish Sea. Research should also focus on developing strategies for mitigating the impacts of marine heatwaves.

  generalfuture-work sectionevidence 3/5
  Keywords: further research needed understand impacts marine heatwaves local
• Intensifying concurrent marine–atmospheric heatwaves in the marginal seas of the Arabian Peninsula: implications for coral bleaching and ocean productivity (2026) · Frontiers in Marine Science · doi

  There is a need to understand the spatiotemporal variability, physical drivers, and ecological impacts of concurrent marine–atmosphere heatwaves. The compounding effect of concurrent heatwaves on marine ecosystems is not well understood.

  generalstated research gapevidence 3/5
  Keywords: there need understand spatiotemporal variability physical drivers ecological
• Spring–Summer Caribbean Sea marine heatwaves tied to previous Winter Indian Ocean marine heatwaves (2026) · Nature Communications · doi

  The relationship between Indian Ocean and Caribbean Sea marine heatwaves is not well understood. There is a need for improved prediction of marine heatwave occurrences. The atmospheric bridge mechanism involved in the teleconnection pathway is not well understood.

  generalstated research gapevidence 3/5
  Keywords: relationship between indian ocean caribbean sea marine heatwaves
• Detected impacts of atmospheric rivers on marine heatwaves (2026) · Nature Communications · doi

  The physical processes that govern the occurrence and evolution of marine heatwaves remain poorly understood. The impact of atmospheric rivers on marine heatwaves is not well understood. The seasonally dependent effect of atmospheric rivers on marine heatwaves is not well understood.

  generalstated research gapevidence 3/5
  Keywords: physical processes govern occurrence evolution marine heatwaves remain

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