Base Of Marine Food Chain Changing Quickly Near Rapidly Warming Antarctic Peninsula - AFP/Science

[hatrack]

Scientists have long established that the Antarctic Peninsula is one of the most rapidly warming spots on Earth. Now, new research using detailed satellite data indicates that the changing climate is affecting not just the penguins at the apex of the food chain, but simultaneously the microscopic life that is the base of the ecosystem.

The research was published in Science magazine by researchers with the National Science Foundation's (NSF) LTER (Long Term Ecological Research) program. The LTER, which has 26 sites around the globe, including two in Antarctica, enables tracking of ecological variables over time, so that the mechanisms of climate change impact on ecosystems can be revealed

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Over the past 50 years, winter temperatures on the Peninsula have risen five times faster than the global average and the duration of sea-ice coverage has decreased. A warm, moist maritime climate has moved into the northern Peninsula region, pushing the continental, polar conditions southward. As a result, the prevalence of species that depend on sea ice, such as Adelie penguins, Antarctic silverfish and krill, has decreased in the Peninsula's northern region, and new species that typically avoid ice, such as Gentoo and Chinstrap penguins, and lanternfish are moving into the habitat.

The LTER researchers show that satellite data on ocean color, temperature, sea ice and winds, indicate that phytoplankton at the base of the food chain are also responding to changes in sea-ice cover and winds driven by climate change. However, there are contrasting changes in northern and southern regions, and the satellite and ground-based data provide insights into the forcing mechanisms for each region. The researchers weren't surprised that primary productivity in the waters of the Peninsula has changed dramatically over the last 20 years. But the contrasting changes in the north and south were a surprise. In the north, where ice-dependent species are disappearing, sea ice cover has declined and wind stress has increased. The wind intensity and reduced sea ice causes greater mixing of the surface ocean waters. The result--a deepening of the surface mixed layer that lowers primary productivity rates and causes changes in phytoplankton species, because phytoplankton cells are exposed to less light.

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http://www.terradaily.com/reports/From_The_Top_To_The_Bottom_999.html

[XemaSab]

1. It's dark down there

Hence, no primary production. :hide:

[hatrack]

2. Still, I'm sure there are market-based solutions we can offer the phytoplankton . . .

Maybe a tax cut?

[XemaSab]

3. The USDA would pay the phytoplankton NOT to grow

:hide:

[hatrack]

4. Perhaps payment in kind? They'd receive a percentage of futures trades in stored zooplankton . . .

[XemaSab]

6. The sea-monkey market is so subject to the whims of politicians

I can't see that being a good investment strategy at all. :(

[hatrack]

7. Damned politicians!! If only they'd allow The Invisible Fin to work its magic!!!!

:toast:

[XemaSab]

8. .

:toast:

[opihimoimoi]

5. Diatoms...they make 25% of the earths O2.....thats phytoplankton....

able to take sunlight and convert through photosynthesis.....if they go,,,we go