The Southern Ocean is a critical component of the global climate system and an important ecoregion that contains a diverse range of interdependent flora and fauna. It also hosts numerous fronts: sharp boundaries between waters with different characteristics. As they strongly influence exchanges between the ocean, atmosphere and cryosphere, fronts are of fundamental importance to the climate system. However, rapid advances in physical oceanography over the past 20 years have challenged previous definitions of fronts and their response to anthropogenic climate change. Here we review the implications of this recent research for the study of climate, ecology and biology in the Southern Ocean. We include a frontal definition ‘user’s guide’ to clarify the current debate and aid in future research.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Keywords:	Southern Ocean, fronts, eddies, production
Research Division:	Earth Sciences
Research Group:	Oceanography
Research Field:	Biological oceanography
Objective Division:	Environmental Management
Objective Group:	Terrestrial systems and management
Objective Field:	Assessment and management of terrestrial ecosystems
UTAS Author:	Lea, M-A (Professor Mary-Anne Lea)
UTAS Author:	Meyer, A (Dr Amelie Meyer)
UTAS Author:	Hindell, M (Professor Mark Hindell)
ID Code:	138538
Year Published:	2020
Web of Science® Times Cited:	57
Deposited By:	Ecology and Biodiversity
Deposited On:	2020-04-14
Last Modified:	2022-08-29
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