LAGUNA BEACH, Calif. — A marine biologist, ecologist and associate professor at the University of California, Irvine has been looking at how climate change  — specifically warmer ocean water — is affecting marine ecosystems.

The researcher has found warmer ocean water favors invasive species more than native species in fouling communities. Cascade Sorte is continuing her work, focusing on intertidal zones and rocky coastlines from Baja to Southern California.

Her latest work focused on the dark unicorn whelk.