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Tracking of marine predators to protect Southern Ocean ecosystems

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-20, 13:40 authored by Mark HindellMark Hindell, Reisinger, RR, Ropert-Coudert, Y, Huckstadt, LA, Trathan, PN, Bornemann, H, Charrassin, JB, Chown, SL, Costa, DP, Danis, B, Mary-Anne LeaMary-Anne Lea, Thompson, D, Torres, LG, Van de Putte, AP, Alderman, R, Andrews-Goff, V, Benjamin Arthur, Ballard, G, Bengtson, J, Bester, MN, Blix, AS, Boehme, L, Bost, CA, Boveng, P, Jaimie CleelandJaimie Cleeland, Constantine, R, Stuart CorneyStuart Corney, Crawford, RJM, Dalla Rosa, L, de Bruyn, PJN, Delord, K, Descamps, S, Double, M, Emmerson, L, Fedak, M, Friedlaender, A, Gales, N, Goebel, ME, Goetz, KT, Guinet, C, Goldsworthy, SD, Harcourt, R, Hinke, JT, Jerosch, K, Kato, A, Kerry, KR, Kirkwood, R, Kooyman, GL, Kovacs, KM, Lawton, K, Lowther, AD, Lydersen, C, Lyver, POB, Makhado, AB, Marquez, MEI, McDonald, BI, Clive McMahonClive McMahon, Muelbert, M, Nachtsheim, D, Nicholls, KW, Nordoy, ES, Olmastroni, S, Phillips, RA, Pistorius, P, Plotz, J, Putz, K, Ratcliffe, N, Ryan, PG, Santos, M, Southwell, C, Staniland, I, Takahashi, A, Tarroux, A, Trivelpiece, W, Wakefield, E, Weimerskirch, H, Wienecke, B, Xavier, JC, Wotherspoon, S, Jonsen, ID, Ben Raymond
Southern Ocean ecosystems are under pressure from resource exploitation and climate change. Mitigation requires the identification and protection of Areas of Ecological Significance (AESs), which have so far not been determined at the ocean-basin scale. Here, using assemblage-level tracking of marine predators, we identify AESs for this globally important region and assess current threats and protection levels. Integration of more than 4,000 tracks from 17 bird and mammal species reveals AESs around sub-Antarctic islands in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans and over the Antarctic continental shelf. Fishing pressure is disproportionately concentrated inside AESs, and climate change over the next century is predicted to impose pressure on these areas, particularly around the Antarctic continent. At present, 7.1% of the ocean south of 40°S is under formal protection, including 29% of the total AESs. The establishment and regular revision of networks of protection that encompass AESs are needed to provide long-term mitigation of growing pressures on Southern Ocean ecosystems.

History

Publication title

Nature

Volume

580

Issue

7801

Pagination

87-92

ISSN

0028-0836

Department/School

Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies

Publisher

Nature Publishing Group

Place of publication

Macmillan Building, 4 Crinan St, London, England, N1 9Xw

Rights statement

Copyright 2020 The Authors, under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Limited

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Assessment and management of Antarctic and Southern Ocean ecosystems; Ecosystem adaptation to climate change

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