Effect of Global Change on the Primary Production of Antarctic coastal Ecosystems. As the climate warms, sea ice in Antarctic coastal areas will reduce. Most primary production currently occurs within the sea ice. We propose that a reduction in ice extent will lead to a reduction in ice production but greater benthic production; phytoplankton production will stay relatively constant. These changes will significantly effect the size of pelagic (ie fish) and benthic (starfish, sea urchins etc) st ....Effect of Global Change on the Primary Production of Antarctic coastal Ecosystems. As the climate warms, sea ice in Antarctic coastal areas will reduce. Most primary production currently occurs within the sea ice. We propose that a reduction in ice extent will lead to a reduction in ice production but greater benthic production; phytoplankton production will stay relatively constant. These changes will significantly effect the size of pelagic (ie fish) and benthic (starfish, sea urchins etc) stocks, which in turn will impact on the size of seal and penguin populations. Our project will allow predictions of these changes that have been induced by a reduction in sa ice extentRead moreRead less
Dark survival in the polar winter. There is strong public interest in both the Arctic and Antarctica and global climate change. By better understanding how these polar ecosystems function in winter and the likely effects of increasing temperatures we will be able to keep the public informed on likely impacts. There are large fishing industries in the Arctic and growing finfish and krill fisheries in the Southern Ocean. This project will contribute to a better understanding of how these stocks wi ....Dark survival in the polar winter. There is strong public interest in both the Arctic and Antarctica and global climate change. By better understanding how these polar ecosystems function in winter and the likely effects of increasing temperatures we will be able to keep the public informed on likely impacts. There are large fishing industries in the Arctic and growing finfish and krill fisheries in the Southern Ocean. This project will contribute to a better understanding of how these stocks will be affected (together with seals, penguins and whales) and how they should be managed to ensure sustainable fisheries and maximum biodiversity.Read moreRead less