Borealization impacts shelf ecosystems across the Arctic

Frontiers in Environmental Science, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 12

Published: Oct. 24, 2024

Climate change is rapidly modifying biodiversity across the Arctic, driving a shift from Arctic to more boreal ecosystem characteristics. This phenomenon, known as borealization, mainly described for certain functional groups along sub-Arctic inflow shelves (Barents and Chukchi Seas). In this review, we evaluate spatial extent of such alterations well their effects on ecosystem-level processes risks. Along shelves, borealization driven by long-term strengthened increasingly warm waters south punctuated advection low sea ice extreme events. A growing body literature also points an emerging other shelf ecosystems, through “spillover” effect, local changes in environmental conditions enable movement or transport new species shelves. These modifications are leading groups, although many uncertainties remain regarding under-sampled microbes, technical challenges consistent, regular monitoring regions. There clear consensus that affecting phenology, composition, community traits, population structure essential habitats, interactions, resilience. Non-dynamic factors, depth photoperiod, thought limit complete system, may lead intermediate, “hybrid” ecosystems future. We expect current borders progress further northward ultimately reach equilibrium state with seasonal borealization. Risks system difficult estimate, adaptive capacities poorly understood. However, ice-associated clearly most at risk, some might find temporary refuge areas slower rate change. discuss likely character future highlight uncertainties. Those have implications communities potential support Blue Growth Arctic. Addressing these issues necessary assess full scale climate impacts human mitigation adaptation strategies.

Language: Английский

Benthic food web structure of a highly stratified sub-Arctic archipelago on the Newfoundland Shelf (Northwest Atlantic Ocean)

Estuarine Coastal and Shelf Science, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 310, P. 108982 - 108982

Published: Oct. 11, 2024

Language: Английский