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Changes in the Antarctic sea ice ecosystem: potential effects on krill and baleen whales
Citation
Nicol, S and Worby, A and Leaper, R, Changes in the Antarctic sea ice ecosystem: potential effects on krill and baleen whales, Marine and Freshwater Research, 59, (2008) pp. 1323-1650. ISSN 1323-1650 (2008) [Refereed Article]
Copyright Statement
Copyright © 2008 CSIRO http://www.publish.csiro.au
Official URL: http://www.publish.csiro.au
DOI: doi:10.1071/MF07161
Abstract
The annual formation and loss of some 15 million km2 of sea ice around the Antarctic significantly affects
global ocean circulation, particularly through the formation of dense bottom water.As one of the most profound seasonal
changes on Earth, the formation and decay of sea ice plays a major role in climate processes. It is also likely to be impacted
by climate change, potentially changing the productivity of the Antarctic region. The sea ice zone supports much wildlife,
particularly large vertebrates such as seals, seabirds and whales, some exploited to near extinction. Cetacean species in
the Southern Ocean will be directly impacted by changes in sea ice patterns as well as indirectly by changes in their
principal prey, Antarctic krill, affected by modifications to their own environment through climate change. Understanding
how climate change will affect species at all trophic levels in the Southern Ocean requires new approaches and integrated
research programs. This review focuses on the current state of knowledge of the sea ice zone and examines the potential
for climatic and ecological change in the region. In the context of changes already documented for seals and seabirds, it
discusses potential effects on the most conspicuous vertebrate of the region, baleen whales.
Item Details
Item Type: | Refereed Article |
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Keywords: | sea ice, krill, baleen whale, climate change, exploitation |
Research Division: | Environmental Sciences |
Research Group: | Climate change impacts and adaptation |
Research Field: | Ecological impacts of climate change and ecological adaptation |
Objective Division: | Environmental Policy, Climate Change and Natural Hazards |
Objective Group: | Adaptation to climate change |
Objective Field: | Climate change adaptation measures (excl. ecosystem) |
UTAS Author: | Leaper, R (Dr Rebecca Leaper) |
ID Code: | 70553 |
Year Published: | 2008 |
Web of Science® Times Cited: | 70 |
Deposited By: | Sustainable Marine Research Collaboration |
Deposited On: | 2011-06-28 |
Last Modified: | 2015-07-10 |
Downloads: | 2 View Download Statistics |
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