Global warming and marine heatwaves present two distinctly different challenges for marine ecosystems and coastal communities. While global warming is occurring quite rapidly, it represents a persistent change or press perturbation allowing some, albeit limited, reaction time for marine organisms and people. In contrast, marine heatwaves are abrupt, pulse perturbations occurring on time scales that are too short for adequate response and adaptation. Marine heatwaves in Alaska have disrupted ecosystems and livelihoods through not only declines, but also an overabundance of some resources.

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