Climate change and Southern Ocean ecosystems I: how changes in physical habitats directly affect marine biota

Antarctic and Southern Ocean (ASO) marine ecosystems have been changing for at least the last 30 years, including in response to increasing ocean temperatures and changes in the extent and seasonality of sea ice; the magnitude and direction of these changes differ between regions around Antarctica that could see populations of the same species changing differently in different regions. This article reviews current and expected changes in ASO physical habitats in response to climate change. It then reviews how these changes may impact the autecology of marine biota of this polar region: microbes, zooplankton, salps, Antarctic krill, fish, cephalopods, marine mammals, seabirds, and benthos. The general prognosis…

• NA
  National Aeronautics and Space Administration
• AG
  Australian Government
• SR
  Sight Research UK

  Awards: NE/I029943/1, NE/I030062/1, bas0100025
• NO
  National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
• NE
  Natural Environment Research Council

  Awards: NE/I029943/1, NE/I030062/1, bas0100025
• AA
  Australian Antarctic Division
• AC
  Antarctic Climate and Ecosystems Cooperative Research Centre