Climate change in the Baltic Sea region: a summary

Earth System Dynamics, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 13(1), P. 457 - 593

Published: March 15, 2022

Abstract. Based on the Baltic Earth Assessment Reports of this thematic issue in System Dynamics and recent peer-reviewed literature, current knowledge effects global warming past future changes climate Sea region is summarised assessed. The study an update Second Climate Change (BACC II) published 2015 focuses atmosphere, land, cryosphere, ocean, sediments, terrestrial marine biosphere. summaries gained palaeo-, historical, regional research, we find that main conclusions from earlier assessments still remain valid. However, new long-term, homogenous observational records, for example, Scandinavian glacier inventories, sea-level-driven saltwater inflows, so-called Major Inflows, phytoplankton species distribution, scenario simulations with improved models, glaciers, lake ice, food web, have become available. In many cases, uncertainties can now be better estimated than before because more models were included ensembles, especially Sea. With help coupled feedbacks between several components system been studied, multiple driver studies performed, e.g. projections web include fisheries, eutrophication, change. New datasets led to a revised understanding some variables such as salinity. Furthermore, it has evident natural variability, particular ocean multidecadal timescales, greater previously estimated, challenging our ability detect observed projected climate. context, first palaeoclimate regionalised are instructive. Hence, increased. addition well-known influence North Atlantic Oscillation, was found also other low-frequency modes internal Multidecadal Variability, profound region. Challenges identified, systematic discrepancy cloudiness trends difficulty confidently attributing large ecosystems Finally, compare results coastal sea assessments, Region (NOSCCA), change differ those Sea, since oceanography very different seas While dynamics dominated by tides, characterised brackish water, perennial vertical stratification southern subbasins, seasonal ice cover northern subbasins.

Language: Английский

---

Food web robustness depends on the network type and threshold for extinction

Oikos, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Feb. 14, 2025

Species loss in ecological communities can trigger cascading extinctions, the extent of which likely depends on network type and extinction thresholds. Traditionally, responses to node removal are analysed using unweighted food webs, ignoring interaction strengths Here, we examine how web robustness varies with (unweighted versus weighted), thresholds, species sequences, explore properties – connectance relative ascendency both weighted predict robustness. First, our results show that robustness, measured by R50 index, be up 40% lower networks compared ones. Additionally, incorporating thresholds reveals a consistent reduction when deletions proceed from highest lowest degree or sum link weights. This suggests measures do not include overestimate Furthermore, it highlights high energy through‐flow crucial for maintaining pathways integrity emphasizing their importance conservation context. Second, emerged as strongest predictor providing clearest temporal signals related changes fluxes. metric reflects distribution (skewness) pathway architecture (energy flux constraints), underscoring these assessing stability. Therefore, should considered ecosystem management recommendations.

Language: Английский

---

Global climate change and the Baltic Sea ecosystem: direct and indirect effects on species, communities and ecosystem functioning

Earth System Dynamics, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 13(2), P. 711 - 747

Published: April 11, 2022

Abstract. Climate change has multiple effects on Baltic Sea species, communities and ecosystem functioning through changes in physical biogeochemical environmental characteristics of the sea. Associated indirect secondary species interactions, trophic dynamics function are expected to be significant. We review studies investigating species-, population- ecosystem-level abiotic factors that may due global climate change, such as temperature, salinity, oxygen, pH, nutrient levels, more food web processes, primarily based peer-reviewed literature published since 2010. For phytoplankton, clear symptoms prolongation growing season, evident can explained by warming, but otherwise vary from area area. Several modelling project a decrease phytoplankton bloom spring an increase cyanobacteria blooms summer. The associated N:P ratio contribute maintaining “vicious circle eutrophication”. However, uncertainties remain because some field claim have not increased experimental show responses salinity pH species. An riverine dissolved organic matter (DOM) also primary production, relative importance this process different sea areas is well known. Bacteria growth favoured increasing temperature DOM, complex microbial probable. Warming seawater speeds up zooplankton shortens time lag between peaks, which lead decreasing spring. In summer, shift towards smaller-sized decline marine copepod been projected. deep benthic communities, continued eutrophication promotes high sedimentation maintains good conditions for zoobenthos. If abatement proceeds, improving oxygen will first zoobenthos biomass, subsequent sedimenting disrupt pelagic–benthic coupling decreased biomass. shallower photic systems, heatwaves produce eutrophication-like effects, e.g. overgrowth bladderwrack epiphytes, cascade. declines, bladderwrack, eelgrass blue mussel decline. Freshwater vascular plants they cannot replace macroalgae rocky substrates. Consequently invertebrates fish benefiting macroalgal belts suffer. Climate-induced environment favour establishment non-indigenous potentially affecting Sea. As fish, continuing hypoxia projected keep cod stocks low, whereas sprat certain coastal fish. Regime shifts cascading observed both pelagic systems result several climatic acting synergistically. Knowledge gaps include projecting future level, stratification potential rate internal loading, under forcings. This weakens our ability how productivity, populations future. 3D models, models 2D distribution would benefit integration, progress slowed down scale problems inability consider interactions Experimental work should better integrated into empirical get comprehensive view bacteria addition, understand biodiversity Sea, emphasis placed shallow environments. fate depend various intertwined development society. probably delay tend its “novel” state. conclude reductions stronger driver than change. Such highlight studying interlinked socio-ecological system.

Language: Английский

---

Linking biodiversity, ecosystem function, and Nature’s contributions to people: a macroecological energy flux perspective

Trends in Ecology & Evolution, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 39(5), P. 427 - 434

Published: Feb. 2, 2024

At macroecological scales, the provision of Nature's contributions to people (NCP) is mostly estimated with biophysical information, ignoring ecological processes underlying them. This hinders our ability properly quantify impact declining biodiversity and NCP. Here, we propose a framework that combines local-scale food web energy flux approaches large-scale models evaluate ecosystem functions flux-related NCP at extensive spatiotemporal scales. Importantly, this approach has potential upscale functions, assess vulnerability climate crisis, support development multiscale mitigation policies.

Language: Английский

---

New insights into the Weddell Sea ecosystem applying a quantitative network approach

Ocean science, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 20(1), P. 141 - 153

Published: Feb. 5, 2024

Abstract. Network approaches can shed light on the structure and stability of complex marine communities. In recent years, such have been successfully applied to study polar ecosystems, improving our knowledge how they might respond ongoing environmental changes. The Weddell Sea is one most studied ecosystems outside Antarctic Peninsula in Southern Ocean. Yet, few studies consider known complexity food web, which its current form comprises 490 species 16 041 predator–prey interactions. Here we analysed focusing trophic interactions that underpin ecosystem stability. We estimated strength for each interaction characterised position web using unweighted weighted properties, species' roles with respect web. found distribution (IS) at level asymmetric, many weak strong ones. detected a positive relationship between median IS two properties (i.e. total number interactions). also only possess key positions terms These are by high IS, middle level, relatively interactions, low similarity. this study, integrated information, enabling more complete assessment function Our results provide new insights, important development effective policies management strategies, particularly given initiative implement protected area (MPA) Sea.

Language: Английский

---

Out of the dark: Using energy flux to connect above‐ and belowground communities and ecosystem functioning

European Journal of Soil Science, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 73(1)

Published: July 27, 2021

Abstract Soil ecosystems are both particularly important to humans and vulnerable human‐made global change. Here, we identify some key aspects of soil community ecosystem research that need be more widely studied understand responses change enable us efficiently protect them. This perspective integrates multiple taxa trophic levels, combines structural variables with processes, considers energy channels rather than focusing on only bacterial, fungal, or plant‐derived resources. Moreover, it enables implementing the claim terrestrial should adopt an integrative view above–belowground processes. Having identified these areas requiring higher attention, suggest a wider application food‐web energetics approach calculating flux as suitable very powerful tool simultaneously integrate aspects. The metabolic theory quantify through networks universal currency multitrophic functioning. In addition whole‐community metrics, allows for quantifying various processes by summing up out autotrophs, detritus, animals their respective consumers. includes assessment otherwise hard quantify, such belowground herbivory predation. calculation requires data focal its demand, interactions, feeding preferences assimilation efficiency, which can measured, whereas other components inferred from readily available literature We outline how novel, high‐throughput methods, metabarcoding, combined energy‐flux improve our understanding structure hope article motivates fellow researchers approaches support further development this promising science. Highlights Multitrophic interactions bridge functioning ecosystems. An integrated quantification main in soil. Linking above‐ compartments provides deeper insights into whole‐ecosystem Quantifying systems those insights.

Language: Английский

---

Why are biodiversity—ecosystem functioning relationships so elusive? Trophic interactions may amplify ecosystem function variability

Journal of Animal Ecology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 92(2), P. 367 - 376

Published: Sept. 5, 2022

The relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem functions (BEFs) has attracted great interest. Studies on BEF have so far focused the average trend of function as species diversity increases. A tantalizing but rarely addressed question is why large variations in are often observed across systems with similar diversity, likely obscuring BEFs. Here we use a multi-trophic food web model combination empirical data to examine relationships richness variation (VEFs) including biomass, metabolism, decomposition, primary secondary production. We then probe mechanisms underlying these relationships, focusing role trophic interactions. While our results reinforce previously documented positive found that exhibit significant within each level magnitude this displays hump-shaped richness. Our analyses demonstrate VEFs reduced when consumer increases through elevated nonlinearity interactions, and/or basal such producers decomposers decreases. This explanation supported by 34-year time series from Gulf Riga ecosystem. work suggests loss may not only result decline, also reduce predictability generating greater variability among ecosystems. It thus helps reconcile debate generality disentangle drivers stability. interactions their strengths mediated functional responses shaping warrants further investigations better incorporation into biodiversity-ecosystem functioning research.

Language: Английский

---

DNA metabarcoding reveals trophic niche diversity of micro and mesozooplankton species

Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 288(1953)

Published: June 16, 2021

Alternative pathways of energy transfer guarantee the functionality and productivity in marine food webs that experience strong seasonality. Nevertheless, complexity zooplankton interactions is rarely considered trophic studies because lack detailed information about feeding nature. In this study, we used DNA metabarcoding to highlight diversity niches a wide range micro- mesozooplankton, including ciliates, rotifers, cladocerans, copepods their prey, by sequencing 16- 18S rRNA genes. Our study demonstrates niche partitioning goes beyond both phylogeny size reinforces importance resource use for stabilizing web efficiency allowing several different transfer. We further small, studied (rotifers ciliates) fill an important role Baltic Sea pelagic primary production potential rotifers crustaceans utilization filamentous picocyanobacteria within web. The approach suitable entry point ecosystem-wide modelling considering species-specific key consumers.

Language: Английский

---

Food web rewiring drives long-term compositional differences and late-disturbance interactions at the community level

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 119(17)

Published: April 19, 2022

Significance Multiple anthropogenic disturbances affect the structure and functioning of communities. Recent evidence highlighted that, after pulse disturbance, a community performs may be recovered fast due to functional redundancy, whereas multivariate composition needs longer time. Yet, mechanisms that drive different recovery times have not been quantified empirically. We use quantitative food-web analysis assess influence species interactions on recovery. found species-interactions strength main mechanism driving differences between structural Additionally, we show multiple appear in long term only when both species-interaction architecture change significantly.

Language: Английский

---

Biodegradable artificial reefs enhance food web complexity and biodiversity in an intertidal soft‐sediment ecosystem

Journal of Applied Ecology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 60(3), P. 541 - 552

Published: Dec. 24, 2022

Abstract Reef‐forming species form integral aspects of coastal ecosystems, but are rapidly degrading world‐wide. To mitigate these declines, nature managers increasingly rely on the restoration habitat‐structuring, reef‐forming by, for example, introducing artificial reefs that may directly function as complex reef habitat. Since use biodegradable structures to restore biogenic is becoming a popular technique, its effectiveness habitat must be assessed. Therefore, we examine trophic complexity experimental large‐scale using food web network analysis. We placed soft‐sediment intertidal flats in Dutch Wadden Sea (~650 m) and 2.5‐year‐long experiment. compared networks biodiversity indicators between bare controls quantified composition inside near community assess expansion community. During 2.5 years, observed changed controls: richness (+76%), link density (the number interactions per species; +15%) fraction basal (species lowest level; +40%), lowered connectance: realized all possible links (−33%). Their effects increased over time with higher (+22%) more (link +13%) years after deployment 1.5 years. However, did not extend beyond structures; macrozoobenthos were comparable control. Synthesis applications. This study shows offer an effective tool systems. application needs carefully considered reef‐building expand our structures, despite ambitious spatial extent this recommend practitioners design such way they generate ecosystem connectivity (facilitation levels) biogeomorphological landscape scale (reef structures).

Language: Английский

---