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Marine ecosystem response to the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation
Martin Edwards1, Gregory Beaugrand, Pierre Helaouët
1Sir Alister Hardy Foundation for Ocean Science, The Laboratory, Citadel Hill, Plymouth, United Kingdom. maed@sahfos.ac.uk
Plos One
|March 6, 2013
Summary
The Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO) significantly impacts North Atlantic marine ecosystems, causing multidecadal habitat shifts and influencing fisheries. This natural climate pattern is a key driver of biological change alongside warming trends.
Area of Science:
- Marine Biology
- Climate Science
- Oceanography
Background:
- North Atlantic temperatures exhibit multidecadal variability, with the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO) as a primary driver.
- The biological impacts of a full AMO cycle on marine ecosystems are poorly understood due to limited long-term observational data.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate multidecadal cyclic patterns in North Atlantic biological time-series.
- To assess the influence of the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO) on marine ecosystems and fisheries over extended periods.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of one of the longest continuously sustained marine biological time-series in oceanic waters.
- Utilization of long-term fisheries data and historical records spanning over a century.
Main Results:
- The AMO is identified as the second most significant macro-trend in North Atlantic plankton records.
- Evidence suggests the AMO drives multidecadal habitat switching and abrupt ecosystem regime shifts.
- The AMO influences the success of various fisheries over centuries.
Conclusions:
- The Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO) plays a crucial role in North Atlantic marine ecosystem dynamics, independent of general warming trends.
- Understanding the AMO is vital for predicting long-term ecological changes and fisheries management in the North Atlantic.
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