Research reveals hidden ocean heat waves threatening South China Sea ecosystems

The South China Sea (SCS), a vital marine region supporting rich biodiversity, productive fisheries, and extensive coral reefs, faces growing threats from marine heat waves (MHWs). While surface MHWs have drawn attention, subsurface events—intense warming below the ocean surface—during boreal winter have been less studied, yet they can disrupt deeper-dwelling species and ecosystem stability in this semi-enclosed sea.