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Climate-driven regime shifts in Arctic marine benthos
Susanne Kortsch1, Raul Primicerio, Frank Beuchel
1Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, University of Tromsø, N-9037, Norway. susanne.kortsch@uit.no
Summary
Arctic marine ecosystems are undergoing rapid, climate-driven regime shifts. Long-term data reveal significant changes in macroalgal cover and invertebrate abundance, indicating a shift towards borealization.
Area of Science:
- Marine Biology
- Arctic Ecology
- Climate Change Science
Background:
- Arctic ecosystems are sensitive to climate warming, with potential for abrupt changes.
- Long-term ecological studies are crucial for understanding climate change impacts in the Arctic.
- Previous research highlighted the need for data on Arctic marine community structure shifts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To document structural changes in Arctic rocky-bottom communities over a 30-year period.
- To investigate the ecological impact of rising seawater temperatures and decreasing sea ice cover.
- To identify evidence of climate-driven ecological regime shifts in Arctic fjords.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of a 30-year time series (1980-2010) of benthic community data from two Arctic fjords.
- Monitoring of seawater temperature and sea ice cover.
- Quantification of macroalgal cover and benthic invertebrate abundance.
Main Results:
- Observed rapid and extensive structural changes in rocky-bottom communities.
- Documented a fivefold increase in macroalgal cover in Kongsfjord (1995) and an eightfold increase in Smeerenburgfjord (2000).
- Found simultaneous shifts in benthic invertebrate abundance, suggesting macroalgae as a key structuring element.
Conclusions:
- The observed changes indicate a climate-driven ecological regime shift in Arctic fjords.
- These shifts are characterized by abrupt, substantial, and persistent increases in macroalgal dominance.
- Ecological processes driving these shifts are likely to lead to the borealization of Arctic marine communities.
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