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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 RaymondSouthern 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
NatureVolume
580Issue
7801Pagination
87-92ISSN
0028-0836Department/School
Institute for Marine and Antarctic StudiesPublisher
Nature Publishing GroupPlace of publication
Macmillan Building, 4 Crinan St, London, England, N1 9XwRights statement
Copyright 2020 The Authors, under exclusive licence to Springer Nature LimitedRepository Status
- Restricted