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Lemesle P, Jouanneau W, Cherel Y, Legroux N, Ward A, Bustamante P, Chastel O. Mercury exposure and trophic ecology of urban nesting black-legged kittiwakes from France. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 363:142813. [PMID: 38986774 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2024] [Revised: 07/01/2024] [Accepted: 07/07/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024]
Abstract
Seabirds are increasingly used as bioindicators for assessing the chemical contamination of marine ecosystems, including by mercury (Hg) worldwide. However, some geographical areas are still poorly documented, as metropolitan France that is home to 28 seabird species including the black-legged kittiwake Rissa tridactyla, in the part of the southern limit of the North Atlantic range of the species. Here, we investigated Hg contamination and trophic ecology of black-legged kittiwakes breeding in the harbour of Boulogne-sur-Mer, Northern France. Mean blood Hg concentration was 4.81 ± 1.20 μg g-1 dw (dry weight), 3.66 ± 0.75 μg g-1 dw and 0.43 ± 0.07 μg g-1 dw for adult males, adult females, and chicks, respectively. According to Hg toxicity benchmarks for avian blood, 30% of the sampled adults were considered to be at moderate risk to Hg toxicity. Stable isotope and food analyses showed that highest δ15N values (reflecting a higher trophic position) were related to highest blood Hg concentrations in adult birds, and that Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus) and Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scombrus) were the main prey. Adult kittiwakes from Boulogne-sur-Mer showed Hg levels three times higher than those found in Arctic nesting kittiwakes, where sublethal effects have been documented. This study provides a first description of Hg contamination of black-legged kittiwakes breeding in France and calls for future ecotoxicological research to assess the vulnerability of this species in the southern part of its distribution range.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prescillia Lemesle
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC), UMR 7372 CNRS - La Rochelle Université, 79360 Villiers-en-Bois, France; Littoral Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS - La Rochelle Université, 2 rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000 La Rochelle, France.
| | - William Jouanneau
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC), UMR 7372 CNRS - La Rochelle Université, 79360 Villiers-en-Bois, France
| | - Yves Cherel
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC), UMR 7372 CNRS - La Rochelle Université, 79360 Villiers-en-Bois, France
| | - Nathan Legroux
- Groupe ornithologique et naturaliste (agréé Hauts-de-France), 5 rue Jules de Vicq, 59000 Lille, France
| | - Alain Ward
- Groupe ornithologique et naturaliste (agréé Hauts-de-France), 5 rue Jules de Vicq, 59000 Lille, France
| | - Paco Bustamante
- Littoral Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS - La Rochelle Université, 2 rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000 La Rochelle, France
| | - Olivier Chastel
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC), UMR 7372 CNRS - La Rochelle Université, 79360 Villiers-en-Bois, France
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2
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Kreier F. Hello puffins, goodbye belugas: changing Arctic fjord hints at our climate future. Nature 2024:10.1038/d41586-024-01128-y. [PMID: 38664560 DOI: 10.1038/d41586-024-01128-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2024]
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3
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Cruz-Flores M, Lemaire J, Brault-Favrou M, Christensen-Dalsgaard S, Churlaud C, Descamps S, Elliott K, Erikstad KE, Ezhov A, Gavrilo M, Grémillet D, Guillou G, Hatch S, Huffeldt NP, Kitaysky AS, Kolbeinsson Y, Krasnov Y, Langset M, Leclaire S, Linnebjerg JF, Lorentzen E, Mallory ML, Merkel FR, Montevecchi W, Mosbech A, Patterson A, Perret S, Provencher JF, Reiertsen TK, Renner H, Strøm H, Takahashi A, Thiebot JB, Thórarinsson TL, Will A, Bustamante P, Fort J. Spatial distribution of selenium-mercury in Arctic seabirds. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 343:123110. [PMID: 38086506 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.123110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 11/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) is a metallic trace element toxic for humans and wildlife that can originate from natural and anthropic sources. Hg spatial gradients have been found in seabirds from the Arctic and other oceans, suggesting contrasting toxicity risks across regions. Selenium (Se) plays a protective role against Hg toxicity, but its spatial distribution has been much less investigated than that of Hg. From 2015 to 2017, we measured spatial co-exposure of Hg and Se in blood samples of two seabird species, the Brünnich's guillemot (Uria lomvia) and the black-legged kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla) from 17 colonies in the Arctic and subarctic regions, and we calculated their molar ratios (Se:Hg), as a measure of Hg sequestration by Se and, therefore, of Hg exposure risk. We also evaluated concentration differences between species and ocean basins (Pacific-Arctic and Atlantic-Arctic), and examined the influence of trophic ecology on Hg and Se concentrations using nitrogen and carbon stable isotopes. In the Atlantic-Arctic ocean, we found a negative west-to-east gradient of Hg and Se for guillemots, and a positive west-to-east gradient of Se for kittiwakes, suggesting that these species are better protected from Hg toxicity in the European Arctic. Differences in Se gradients between species suggest that they do not follow environmental Se spatial variations. This, together with the absence of a general pattern for isotopes influence on trace element concentrations, could be due to foraging ecology differences between species. In both oceans, the two species showed similar Hg concentrations, but guillemots showed lower Se concentrations and Se:Hg than kittiwakes, suggesting a higher Hg toxicity risk in guillemots. Within species, neither Hg, nor Se or Se:Hg differed between both oceans. Our study highlights the importance of considering Se together with Hg, along with different species and regions, when evaluating Hg toxic effects on marine predators in international monitoring programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Cruz-Flores
- Littoral, Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS - La Rochelle Université, 2 Rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000 La Rochelle, France.
| | - Jérémy Lemaire
- Littoral, Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS - La Rochelle Université, 2 Rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000 La Rochelle, France; Department of Behavioral and Cognitive Biology, University of Vienna, Djerassiplatz 1, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Maud Brault-Favrou
- Littoral, Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS - La Rochelle Université, 2 Rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000 La Rochelle, France
| | | | - Carine Churlaud
- Littoral, Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS - La Rochelle Université, 2 Rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000 La Rochelle, France
| | | | - Kyle Elliott
- Department of Natural Resource Sciences, McGill University. Ste Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec, Canada H9X 3V9
| | | | - Alexey Ezhov
- Murmansk Marine Biological Institute Russian Academy of Science, 183010 Vladimirskaya Str. 17, Murmansk, Russia
| | - Maria Gavrilo
- Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute. 199397 St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - David Grémillet
- CEFE, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, EPHE, IRD, Montpellier, France; Percy FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, South Africa
| | - Gaël Guillou
- Littoral, Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS - La Rochelle Université, 2 Rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000 La Rochelle, France
| | - Scott Hatch
- U.S. Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center. Anchorage, AK 99508, USA
| | - Nicholas Per Huffeldt
- Greenland Institute of Natural Resources, 3900 Nuuk, Greenland; Department of Ecoscience, Aarhus University. 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Alexander S Kitaysky
- University of Alaska Fairbanks, Institute of Arctic Biology, Department of Biology & Wildlife. Fairbanks, AK 99775-7000, USA
| | | | - Yuri Krasnov
- Murmansk Marine Biological Institute Russian Academy of Science, 183010 Vladimirskaya Str. 17, Murmansk, Russia
| | | | - Sarah Leclaire
- Laboratoire Evolution et Diversité Biologique (EDB), UMR 5174, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, IRD. 31062 Toulouse, France
| | | | | | - Mark L Mallory
- Biology, Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia B4P 2R6, Canada
| | - Flemming R Merkel
- Greenland Institute of Natural Resources, 3900 Nuuk, Greenland; Department of Ecoscience, Aarhus University. 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - William Montevecchi
- Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador. St. John's, Newfoundland A1C 3X9, Canada
| | - Anders Mosbech
- Department of Ecoscience, Aarhus University. 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Allison Patterson
- Department of Natural Resource Sciences, McGill University. Ste Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec, Canada H9X 3V9
| | - Samuel Perret
- CEFE, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, EPHE, IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - Jennifer F Provencher
- Ecotoxicology and Wildlife Health Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, K1A 0H3
| | - Tone K Reiertsen
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, FRAM Centre. 9296 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Heather Renner
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Alaska Maritime Wildlife Refuge, Homer, AK, USA
| | - Hallvard Strøm
- Norwegian Polar Institute, Fram Centre. 9296 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Akinori Takahashi
- National Institute of Polar Research, 10-3 Midori-cho, Tachikawa. Tokyo 190-8518, Japan
| | - Jean-Baptiste Thiebot
- National Institute of Polar Research, 10-3 Midori-cho, Tachikawa. Tokyo 190-8518, Japan; Graduate School of Fisheries Sciences, Hokkaido University, 3-1-1 Minato-cho, Hakodate, Hokkaido 041-8611, Japan
| | | | - Alexis Will
- University of Alaska Fairbanks, Institute of Arctic Biology, Department of Biology & Wildlife. Fairbanks, AK 99775-7000, USA; World Wildlife Fund, US Arctic Program, 810 N Street, Suite 300, Anchorage AK 99501, USA
| | - Paco Bustamante
- Littoral, Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS - La Rochelle Université, 2 Rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000 La Rochelle, France
| | - Jérôme Fort
- Littoral, Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS - La Rochelle Université, 2 Rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000 La Rochelle, France
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Oldenburg E, Popa O, Wietz M, von Appen WJ, Torres-Valdes S, Bienhold C, Ebenhöh O, Metfies K. Sea-ice melt determines seasonal phytoplankton dynamics and delimits the habitat of temperate Atlantic taxa as the Arctic Ocean atlantifies. ISME COMMUNICATIONS 2024; 4:ycae027. [PMID: 38515865 PMCID: PMC10955684 DOI: 10.1093/ismeco/ycae027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2024] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
The Arctic Ocean is one of the regions where anthropogenic environmental change is progressing most rapidly and drastically. The impact of rising temperatures and decreasing sea ice on Arctic marine microbial communities is yet not well understood. Microbes form the basis of food webs in the Arctic Ocean, providing energy for larger organisms. Previous studies have shown that Atlantic taxa associated with low light are robust to more polar conditions. We compared to which extent sea ice melt influences light-associated phytoplankton dynamics and biodiversity over two years at two mooring locations in the Fram Strait. One mooring is deployed in pure Atlantic water, and the second in the intermittently ice-covered Marginal Ice Zone. Time-series analysis of amplicon sequence variants abundance over a 2-year period, allowed us to identify communities of co-occurring taxa that exhibit similar patterns throughout the annual cycle. We then examined how alterations in environmental conditions affect the prevalence of species. During high abundance periods of diatoms, polar phytoplankton populations dominated, while temperate taxa were weakly represented. Furthermore, we found that polar pelagic and ice-associated taxa, such as Fragilariopsis cylindrus and Melosira arctica, were more common in Atlantic conditions, while temperate taxa, such as Odontella aurita and Proboscia alata, were less abundant under polar conditions. This suggests that sea ice melt may act as a barrier to the northward expansion of temperate phytoplankton, preventing their dominance in regions still strongly influenced by polar conditions. Our findings highlight the complex interactions between sea ice melt, phytoplankton dynamics, and biodiversity in the Arctic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen Oldenburg
- Institute of Quantitative and Theoretical Biology, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Universitätsstr. 1, D-40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Ovidiu Popa
- Institute of Quantitative and Theoretical Biology, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Universitätsstr. 1, D-40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Matthias Wietz
- Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology, Celsiusstraße 1 D-28359 Bremen, Germany
- Deep-Sea Ecology and Technology, Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Am Handelshafen 12 D-27570 Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - Wilken-Jon von Appen
- Physical Oceanography of the Polar Seas, Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Am Handelshafen 12 D-27570 Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - Sinhue Torres-Valdes
- Physical Oceanography of the Polar Seas, Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Am Handelshafen 12 D-27570 Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - Christina Bienhold
- Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology, Celsiusstraße 1 D-28359 Bremen, Germany
- Deep-Sea Ecology and Technology, Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Am Handelshafen 12 D-27570 Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - Oliver Ebenhöh
- Institute of Quantitative and Theoretical Biology, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Universitätsstr. 1, D-40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Katja Metfies
- Polar Biological Oceanography, Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Am Handelshafen 12 D-27570 Bremerhaven, Germany
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5
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Sezginer Y, Campbell D, Pillai S, Tortell P. Fluorescence-based primary productivity estimates are influenced by non-photochemical quenching dynamics in Arctic phytoplankton. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1294521. [PMID: 38143865 PMCID: PMC10741645 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1294521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Chlorophyll fluorescence-based estimates of primary productivity typically include dark or low-light pre-treatments to relax non-photochemical quenching (NPQ), a process that influences the relationship between PSII photochemistry and fluorescence yields. The time-scales of NPQ relaxation vary significantly between phytoplankton taxa and across environmental conditions, creating uncertainty in field-based productivity measurements derived from fluorescence. To address this practical challenge, we used fast repetition rate fluorometry to characterize NPQ relaxation kinetics in Arctic Ocean phytoplankton assemblages across a range of hydrographic regimes. Applying numerical fits to our data, we derived NPQ relaxation life times, and determined the relative contributions of various quenching components to the total NPQ signature across the different assemblages. Relaxation kinetics were best described as a combination of fast-, intermediate- and slow-relaxing processes, operating on time-scales of seconds, minutes, and hours, respectively. Across sampling locations and depths, total fluorescence quenching was dominated by the intermediate quenching component. Our results demonstrated an average NPQ relaxation life time of 20 ± 1.9 min, with faster relaxation among high light acclimated surface samples relative to lowlight acclimated sub-surface samples. We also used our results to examine the influence of NPQ relaxation on estimates of photosynthetic electron transport rates (ETR), testing the commonly held assumption that NPQ exerts proportional effects on light absorption (PSII functional absorption cross section, σPSII) and photochemical quantum efficiency (FV/FM). This assumption was violated in a number of phytoplankton assemblages that showed a significant decoupling of σPSII and FV/FM during NPQ relaxation, and an associated variability in ETR estimates. Decoupling of σPSII and FV/FM was most prevalent in samples displaying symptoms photoinhibition. Our results provide insights into the mechanisms and kinetics of NPQ in Arctic phytoplankton assemblages, with important implications for the use of FRRF to derive non-invasive, high-resolution estimates of photosynthetic activity in polar marine waters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yayla Sezginer
- Department of Earth Oceans and Atmospheric Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Douglas Campbell
- Department of Biology, Mount Allison University, Sackville, NB, Canada
| | - Sacchinandan Pillai
- Department of Earth Oceans and Atmospheric Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Philippe Tortell
- Department of Earth Oceans and Atmospheric Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Botany, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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6
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Clark MS, Hoffman JI, Peck LS, Bargelloni L, Gande D, Havermans C, Meyer B, Patarnello T, Phillips T, Stoof-Leichsenring KR, Vendrami DLJ, Beck A, Collins G, Friedrich MW, Halanych KM, Masello JF, Nagel R, Norén K, Printzen C, Ruiz MB, Wohlrab S, Becker B, Dumack K, Ghaderiardakani F, Glaser K, Heesch S, Held C, John U, Karsten U, Kempf S, Lucassen M, Paijmans A, Schimani K, Wallberg A, Wunder LC, Mock T. Multi-omics for studying and understanding polar life. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7451. [PMID: 37978186 PMCID: PMC10656552 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43209-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Polar ecosystems are experiencing amongst the most rapid rates of regional warming on Earth. Here, we discuss 'omics' approaches to investigate polar biodiversity, including the current state of the art, future perspectives and recommendations. We propose a community road map to generate and more fully exploit multi-omics data from polar organisms. These data are needed for the comprehensive evaluation of polar biodiversity and to reveal how life evolved and adapted to permanently cold environments with extreme seasonality. We argue that concerted action is required to mitigate the impact of warming on polar ecosystems via conservation efforts, to sustainably manage these unique habitats and their ecosystem services, and for the sustainable bioprospecting of novel genes and compounds for societal gain.
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Affiliation(s)
- M S Clark
- British Antarctic Survey, UKRI-NERC, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 0ET, UK.
| | - J I Hoffman
- British Antarctic Survey, UKRI-NERC, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 0ET, UK.
- Universität Bielefeld, VHF, Konsequenz 45, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany.
| | - L S Peck
- British Antarctic Survey, UKRI-NERC, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 0ET, UK.
| | - L Bargelloni
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, Università degli Studi di Padova, Viale dell'Università 16, I-35020, Legnaro, Italy
| | - D Gande
- Microbial Ecophysiology Group, Faculty of Biology/Chemistry & MARUM, University of Bremen, Leobener Straße 3, 28359, Bremen, Germany
| | - C Havermans
- Alfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung, Am Handelshafen 12, 27570, Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - B Meyer
- Alfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung, Am Handelshafen 12, 27570, Bremerhaven, Germany
- Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment, University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
- Helmholtz Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity at the University of Oldenburg (HIFMB), 23129, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - T Patarnello
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, Università degli Studi di Padova, Viale dell'Università 16, I-35020, Legnaro, Italy
| | - T Phillips
- British Antarctic Survey, UKRI-NERC, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 0ET, UK
| | - K R Stoof-Leichsenring
- Alfred-Wegener-Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, 14473, Potsdam, Germany
| | - D L J Vendrami
- Universität Bielefeld, VHF, Konsequenz 45, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - A Beck
- Staatliche Naturwissenschaftliche Sammlungen Bayerns, Botanische Staatssammlung München (SNSB-BSM), Menzinger Str. 67, 80638, München, Germany
| | - G Collins
- Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre & Loewe-Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics, Senckenberganlage 25, 60325, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Manaaki Whenua-Landcare Research, 231 Morrin Road St Johns, Auckland, 1072, New Zealand
| | - M W Friedrich
- Microbial Ecophysiology Group, Faculty of Biology/Chemistry & MARUM, University of Bremen, Leobener Straße 3, 28359, Bremen, Germany
| | - K M Halanych
- Center for Marine Science, University of North Carolina, 5600 Marvin K. Moss Lane, Wilmington, NC, 28409, USA
| | - J F Masello
- Universität Bielefeld, VHF, Konsequenz 45, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany
- Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen, Giessen, Germany
| | - R Nagel
- Universität Bielefeld, VHF, Konsequenz 45, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany
- School of Biology, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife, KY16 9TH, UK
| | - K Norén
- Department of Zoology, Stockholm University, 106 91, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - C Printzen
- Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre & Loewe-Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics, Senckenberganlage 25, 60325, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Natural History Museum Frankfurt, Senckenberganlage 25, 60325, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - M B Ruiz
- Alfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung, Am Handelshafen 12, 27570, Bremerhaven, Germany
- Universität Duisburg-Essen, Universitätstrasse 5, 45151, Essen, Germany
| | - S Wohlrab
- Alfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung, Am Handelshafen 12, 27570, Bremerhaven, Germany
- Helmholtz Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity at the University of Oldenburg (HIFMB), 23129, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - B Becker
- Universität zu Köln, Institut für Pflanzenwissenschaften, Zülpicher Str. 47b, 60674, Köln, Germany
| | - K Dumack
- Universität zu Köln, Terrestrische Ökologie, Zülpicher Str. 47b, 60674, Köln, Germany
| | - F Ghaderiardakani
- Institute for Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Lessingstraße 8, 07743, Jena, Germany
| | - K Glaser
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Applied Ecology and Phycology, University of Rostock, Albert-Einstein-Straße 3, 18059, Rostock, Germany
| | - S Heesch
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Applied Ecology and Phycology, University of Rostock, Albert-Einstein-Straße 3, 18059, Rostock, Germany
| | - C Held
- Alfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung, Am Handelshafen 12, 27570, Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - U John
- Alfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung, Am Handelshafen 12, 27570, Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - U Karsten
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Applied Ecology and Phycology, University of Rostock, Albert-Einstein-Straße 3, 18059, Rostock, Germany
| | - S Kempf
- Alfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung, Am Handelshafen 12, 27570, Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - M Lucassen
- Alfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung, Am Handelshafen 12, 27570, Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - A Paijmans
- Universität Bielefeld, VHF, Konsequenz 45, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - K Schimani
- Botanischer Garten und Botanisches Museum Berlin, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Straße 6-8, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - A Wallberg
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, Husargatan 3, 751 23, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - L C Wunder
- Microbial Ecophysiology Group, Faculty of Biology/Chemistry & MARUM, University of Bremen, Leobener Straße 3, 28359, Bremen, Germany
| | - T Mock
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7TJ, UK.
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7
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Energy content of krill and amphipods in the Barents Sea from summer to winter: variation across species and size. Polar Biol 2023. [DOI: 10.1007/s00300-023-03112-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
AbstractArctic zooplankton develop large energy reserves, as an adaptation to strong seasonality, making them valuable prey items. We quantified the energy content (kJ g−1 dry weight) of abundant krill (arcto-boreal, Thysanoessa inermis and boreal, Meganyctiphanes norvegica) and amphipods (Arctic, Themisto libellula and sub-Arctic-boreal, Themisto abyssorum) in the Barents Sea in late summer (August) and early winter (December). Variation in energy content was attributed to species-specific traits and body size categories, the latter in part as a proxy for ontogeny. T. inermis had the highest energy content, (Aug: 26.8 ± 1.5 (SD) kJ g−1) and remained similar from summer to winter. Energy content increased in M. norvegica and decreased in both amphipod species, with the lowest energy content being in T. abyssorum (Dec: 17.8 ± 0.8 kJ g−1). The effect of body size varied between species, with energy content increasing with size in T. inermis and T. libellula, and no change with size in M. norvegica and T. abyssorum. The reproductive stages of T. libellula differed in energy content, being highest in gravid females. Energy content varied with species’ dependence on energy storage. Our findings highlight how phylogenetically and morphologically similar prey items cannot necessarily be considered equal from a predator´s perspective. Energetically, the northern T. inermis was higher quality compared to the more southern M. norvegica, and mostly so during summer. Ecological models and management strategies should consider such variation in prey quality, especially as Arctic borealization is expected to change species composition and the energetic landscape for predators.
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8
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Nguyen N, Pawłowska J, Angeles IB, Zajaczkowski M, Pawłowski J. Metabarcoding reveals high diversity of benthic foraminifera linked to water masses circulation at coastal Svalbard. GEOBIOLOGY 2023; 21:133-150. [PMID: 36259453 PMCID: PMC10092302 DOI: 10.1111/gbi.12530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Arctic marine biodiversity is undergoing rapid changes due to global warming and modifications of oceanic water masses circulation. These changes have been demonstrated in the case of mega- and macrofauna, but much less is known about their impact on the biodiversity of smaller size organisms, such as foraminifera that represent a main component of meiofauna in the Arctic. Several studies analyzed the distribution and diversity of Arctic foraminifera. However, all these studies are based exclusively on the morphological identification of specimens sorted from sediment samples. Here, we present the first assessment of Arctic foraminifera diversity based on metabarcoding of sediment DNA samples collected in fjords and open sea areas in the Svalbard Archipelago. We obtained a total of 5,968,786 reads that represented 1384 amplicon sequence variants (ASVs). More than half of the ASVs (51.7%) could not be assigned to any group in the reference database suggesting a high genetic novelty of Svalbard foraminifera. The sieved and unsieved samples resolved comparable communities, sharing 1023 ASVs, comprising over 97% of reads. Our analyses show that the foraminiferal assemblage differs between the localities, with communities distinctly separated between fjord and open sea stations. Each locality was characterized by a specific assemblage, with only a small overlap in the case of open sea areas. Our study demonstrates a clear pattern of the influence of water masses on the structure of foraminiferal communities. The stations situated on the western coast of Svalbard that are strongly influenced by warm and salty Atlantic water (AW) are characterized by much higher diversity than stations in the northern and eastern part, where the impact of AW is less pronounced. This high diversity and specificity of Svalbard foraminifera associated with water mass distribution indicate that the foraminiferal metabarcoding data can be very useful for inferring present and past environmental conditions in the Arctic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ngoc‐Loi Nguyen
- Institute of Oceanology Polish Academy of SciencesSopotPoland
| | | | - Inès Barrenechea Angeles
- Department of Earth SciencesUniversity of GenevaGenevaSwitzerland
- Department of Genetics and EvolutionUniversity of GenevaGenevaSwitzerland
| | | | - Jan Pawłowski
- Institute of Oceanology Polish Academy of SciencesSopotPoland
- Department of Genetics and EvolutionUniversity of GenevaGenevaSwitzerland
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9
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Morris AD, Wilson SJ, Fryer RJ, Thomas PJ, Hudelson K, Andreasen B, Blévin P, Bustamante P, Chastel O, Christensen G, Dietz R, Evans M, Evenset A, Ferguson SH, Fort J, Gamberg M, Grémillet D, Houde M, Letcher RJ, Loseto L, Muir D, Pinzone M, Poste A, Routti H, Sonne C, Stern G, Rigét FF. Temporal trends of mercury in Arctic biota: 10 more years of progress in Arctic monitoring. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 839:155803. [PMID: 35561904 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.155803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Temporal trend analysis of (total) mercury (THg) concentrations in Arctic biota were assessed as part of the 2021 Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP) Mercury Assessment. A mixed model including an evaluation of non-linear trends was applied to 110 time series of THg concentrations from Arctic and Subarctic biota. Temporal trends were calculated for full time series (6-46 years) and evaluated with a particular focus on recent trends over the last 20 years. Three policy-relevant questions were addressed: (1) What time series for THg concentrations in Arctic biota are currently available? (2) Are THg concentrations changing over time in biota from the Arctic? (3) Are there spatial patterns in THg trends in biota from the Arctic? Few geographical patterns of recent trends in THg concentrations were observed; however, those in marine mammals tended to be increasing at more easterly longitudes, and those of seabirds tended to be increasing in the Northeast Atlantic; these should be interpreted with caution as geographic coverage remains variable. Trends of THg in freshwater fish were equally increasing and decreasing or non-significant while those in marine fish and mussels were non-significant or increasing. The statistical power to detect trends was greatly improved compared to the 2011 AMAP Mercury Assessment; 70% of the time series could detect a 5% annual change at the 5% significance level with power ≥ 80%, while in 2011 only 19% met these criteria. Extending existing time series, and availability of new, powerful time series contributed to these improvements, highlighting the need for annual monitoring, particularly given the spatial and temporal information needed to support initiatives such as the Minamata Convention on Mercury. Collecting the same species/tissues across different locations is recommended. Extended time series from Alaska and new data from Russia are also needed to better establish circumarctic patterns of temporal trends.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam D Morris
- Northern Contaminants Program, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, 15 Eddy Street, 14th floor, Gatineau, QC K1A 0H4, Canada.
| | - Simon J Wilson
- Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP) Secretariat, The Fram Centre, Box 6606 Stakkevollan, 9296 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Rob J Fryer
- Marine Scotland, Marine Laboratory, 375 Victoria Road, Aberdeen AB11 9DB, UK
| | - Philippe J Thomas
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ecotoxicology and Wildlife Health Division, National Wildlife Research Centre, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON K1A 0H3, Canada
| | | | | | | | - Paco Bustamante
- Littoral Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266, CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 2 rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000 La Rochelle, France; Institut Universitaire de France (IUF), 1 rue Descartes, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Olivier Chastel
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé, UMR 7372, CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 79360 Villiers en bois, France
| | | | - Rune Dietz
- Aarhus University, Arctic Research Centre (ARC), Department of Ecoscience, P.O. Box 358, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Marlene Evans
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, 11 Innovation Boulevard, Saskatoon, SK S7N 3H5, Canada
| | | | - Steven H Ferguson
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Freshwater Institute, 501 University Crescent, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N6, Canada; Department of Biological Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Jérôme Fort
- Littoral Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266, CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 2 rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000 La Rochelle, France
| | | | - David Grémillet
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé, UMR 7372, CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 79360 Villiers en bois, France; Percy FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, South Africa
| | - Magali Houde
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Aquatic Contaminants Research Division, Montreal, QC H2Y 2E7, Canada
| | - Robert J Letcher
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ecotoxicology and Wildlife Health Division, National Wildlife Research Centre, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON K1A 0H3, Canada
| | - Lisa Loseto
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Freshwater Institute, 501 University Crescent, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N6, Canada
| | - Derek Muir
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Aquatic Contaminants Research Division, 867 Lakeshore Road, Burlington, ON L7S 1A1, Canada
| | | | - Amanda Poste
- Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA), NO-9296 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Heli Routti
- Norwegian Polar Institute, Fram Centre, Tromsø NO-9296, Norway
| | - Christian Sonne
- Aarhus University, Arctic Research Centre (ARC), Department of Ecoscience, P.O. Box 358, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Gary Stern
- Centre for Earth Observation Sciences (CEOS), University of Manitoba, 125 Dysart Road, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Frank F Rigét
- Aarhus University, Arctic Research Centre (ARC), Department of Ecoscience, P.O. Box 358, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark.
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10
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McKinney MA, Chételat J, Burke SM, Elliott KH, Fernie KJ, Houde M, Kahilainen KK, Letcher RJ, Morris AD, Muir DCG, Routti H, Yurkowski DJ. Climate change and mercury in the Arctic: Biotic interactions. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 834:155221. [PMID: 35427623 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.155221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Global climate change has led to profound alterations of the Arctic environment and ecosystems, with potential secondary effects on mercury (Hg) within Arctic biota. This review presents the current scientific evidence for impacts of direct physical climate change and indirect ecosystem change on Hg exposure and accumulation in Arctic terrestrial, freshwater, and marine organisms. As the marine environment is elevated in Hg compared to the terrestrial environment, terrestrial herbivores that now exploit coastal/marine foods when terrestrial plants are iced over may be exposed to higher Hg concentrations. Conversely, certain populations of predators, including Arctic foxes and polar bears, have shown lower Hg concentrations related to reduced sea ice-based foraging and increased land-based foraging. How climate change influences Hg in Arctic freshwater fishes is not clear, but for lacustrine populations it may depend on lake-specific conditions, including interrelated alterations in lake ice duration, turbidity, food web length and energy sources (benthic to pelagic), and growth dilution. In several marine mammal and seabird species, tissue Hg concentrations have shown correlations with climate and weather variables, including climate oscillation indices and sea ice trends; these findings suggest that wind, precipitation, and cryosphere changes that alter Hg transport and deposition are impacting Hg concentrations in Arctic marine organisms. Ecological changes, including northward range shifts of sub-Arctic species and altered body condition, have also been shown to affect Hg levels in some populations of Arctic marine species. Given the limited number of populations and species studied to date, especially within Arctic terrestrial and freshwater systems, further research is needed on climate-driven processes influencing Hg concentrations in Arctic ecosystems and their net effects. Long-term pan-Arctic monitoring programs should consider ancillary datasets on climate, weather, organism ecology and physiology to improve interpretation of spatial variation and time trends of Hg in Arctic biota.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa A McKinney
- Department of Natural Resource Sciences, McGill University, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC H9X 3 V9, Canada.
| | - John Chételat
- Ecotoxicology & Wildlife Health, Environment and Climate Change Canada, National Wildlife Research Centre, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON K1A 0H3, Canada
| | - Samantha M Burke
- Minnow Aquatic Environmental Services, Guelph, ON N1H 1E9, Canada
| | - Kyle H Elliott
- Department of Natural Resource Sciences, McGill University, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC H9X 3 V9, Canada
| | - Kim J Fernie
- Ecotoxicology & Wildlife Health, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Burlington, ON L7S 1A1, Canada
| | - Magali Houde
- Aquatic Contaminants Research Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Montréal, QC H2Y 5E7, Canada
| | - Kimmo K Kahilainen
- Lammi Biological Station, University of Helsinki, FI-16900 Lammi, Finland
| | - Robert J Letcher
- Ecotoxicology & Wildlife Health, Environment and Climate Change Canada, National Wildlife Research Centre, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON K1A 0H3, Canada
| | - Adam D Morris
- Northern Contaminants Program, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, Gatineau, QC J8X 2V6, Canada
| | - Derek C G Muir
- Aquatic Contaminants Research Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Burlington, ON L7S 1A1, Canada
| | - Heli Routti
- Norwegian Polar Institute, Fram Centre, NO-9296 Tromsø, Norway
| | - David J Yurkowski
- Arctic Aquatic Research Division, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N6, Canada
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11
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Emblemsvåg M, Pecuchet L, Velle LG, Nogueira A, Primicerio R. Recent warming causes functional borealization and diversity loss in deep fish communities east of Greenland. DIVERS DISTRIB 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/ddi.13604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
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12
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Hamilton CD, Lydersen C, Aars J, Acquarone M, Atwood T, Baylis A, Biuw M, Boltunov AN, Born EW, Boveng P, Brown TM, Cameron M, Citta J, Crawford J, Dietz R, Elias J, Ferguson SH, Fisk A, Folkow LP, Frost KJ, Glazov DM, Granquist SM, Gryba R, Harwood L, Haug T, Heide‐Jørgensen MP, Hussey NE, Kalinek J, Laidre KL, Litovka DI, London JM, Loseto LL, MacPhee S, Marcoux M, Matthews CJD, Nilssen K, Nordøy ES, O’Corry‐Crowe G, Øien N, Olsen MT, Quakenbush L, Rosing‐Asvid A, Semenova V, Shelden KEW, Shpak OV, Stenson G, Storrie L, Sveegaard S, Teilmann J, Ugarte F, Von Duyke AL, Watt C, Wiig Ø, Wilson RR, Yurkowski DJ, Kovacs KM. Marine mammal hotspots across the circumpolar Arctic. DIVERS DISTRIB 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/ddi.13543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
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13
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Nutrient fluxes from an Arctic seabird colony to the adjacent coastal marine ecosystem. Polar Biol 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s00300-022-03024-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
AbstractSeabirds are important vectors for nutrient transfer across ecosystem boundaries. In this seasonal study, we evaluate the impact of an Arctic colony (Alkhornet, Svalbard) of Black-legged Kittiwakes (Rissa tridactyla) and Brünnich’s Guillemots (Uria lomvia) on stream nutrient concentrations and fluxes, as well as utilization by coastal biota. Water samples from seabird-impacted and control streams were collected regularly throughout the melt season (June–September) for nutrient and organic carbon analysis. Stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis (δ13C and δ15N) was used to assess whether seabird-derived nitrogen (N) could be traced into filamentous stream algae and marine algae as well as consumers (amphipods). Concentrations of nitrate (NO3−) and nitrite (NO2−) peaked in July at 9200 µg N L−1 in seabird-impacted streams, 70 times higher than for control streams. Mean concentrations of phosphate (PO43−) in seabird-impacted streams were 21.9 µg P L−1, tenfold higher than in controls. Areal fluxes from seabird-impacted study catchments of NO3− + NO2− and PO43− had estimated ranges of 400–2100 kg N km−2 and 15–70 kg P km−2, respectively. Higher δ15N was found in all biota collected from seabird-impacted sites, indicating utilization of seabird-derived nitrogen. Acrosiphonia sp. from seabird-impacted sites had higher δ15N values (20–23‰ vs. 3–6‰) and lower C:N ratios (10.9 vs. 14.3) than specimens collected from control sites, indicating reliance on seabird-derived nitrogen sources and potentially higher N-availability at seabird-impacted nearshore sites. Our study demonstrates how marine nutrients brought onshore by seabirds also can return to the ocean and be utilized by nearshore primary producers and consumers.
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14
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Tartu S, Blévin P, Bustamante P, Angelier F, Bech C, Bustnes JO, Chierici M, Fransson A, Gabrielsen GW, Goutte A, Moe B, Sauser C, Sire J, Barbraud C, Chastel O. A U-Turn for Mercury Concentrations over 20 Years: How Do Environmental Conditions Affect Exposure in Arctic Seabirds? ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:2443-2454. [PMID: 35112833 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c07633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) is highly toxic in its methylated form (MeHg), and global change is likely to modify its bioavailability in the environment. However, it is unclear how top predators will be impacted. We studied blood Hg concentrations of chick-rearing black-legged kittiwakes Rissa tridactyla (2000-2019) in Svalbard (Norway). From 2000 to 2019, Hg concentrations followed a U-shaped trend. The trophic level, inferred from nitrogen stable isotopes, and chlorophyll a (Chl a) concentrations better predicted Hg concentrations, with positive and U-shaped associations, respectively. As strong indicators of primary productivity, Chl a concentrations can influence production of upper trophic levels and, thus, fish community assemblage. In the early 2000s, the high Hg concentrations were likely related to a higher proportion of Arctic prey in kittiwake's diet. The gradual input of Atlantic prey in kittiwake diet could have resulted in a decrease in Hg concentrations until 2013. Then, a new shift in the prey community, added to the shrinking sea ice-associated release of MeHg in the ocean, could explain the increasing trend of Hg observed since 2014. The present monitoring provides critical insights about the exposure of a toxic contaminant in Arctic wildlife, and the reported increase since 2014 raises concern for Arctic seabirds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Tartu
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC), UMR 7372 CNRS, La Rochelle Université, Villiers-en-Bois 79360, France
| | - Pierre Blévin
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC), UMR 7372 CNRS, La Rochelle Université, Villiers-en-Bois 79360, France
- Fram Centre, Akvaplan-niva AS, Tromsø 9296, Norway
| | - Paco Bustamante
- Littoral Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS, La Rochelle Université, La Rochelle 17000, France
- Institut Universitaire de France (IUF), Paris 75005, France
| | - Frédéric Angelier
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC), UMR 7372 CNRS, La Rochelle Université, Villiers-en-Bois 79360, France
| | - Claus Bech
- Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim 7491, Norway
| | - Jan Ove Bustnes
- Fram Centre, Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA), Tromsø 9296, Norway
| | - Melissa Chierici
- Fram Centre, Institute of Marine Research (IMR), Tromsø 9296, Norway
| | | | | | - Aurélie Goutte
- EPHE, PSL Research University, UMR 7619 METIS, Paris F-75005, France
| | - Børge Moe
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA), Trondheim 7034, Norway
| | - Christophe Sauser
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC), UMR 7372 CNRS, La Rochelle Université, Villiers-en-Bois 79360, France
| | - Julien Sire
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC), UMR 7372 CNRS, La Rochelle Université, Villiers-en-Bois 79360, France
| | - Christophe Barbraud
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC), UMR 7372 CNRS, La Rochelle Université, Villiers-en-Bois 79360, France
| | - Olivier Chastel
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC), UMR 7372 CNRS, La Rochelle Université, Villiers-en-Bois 79360, France
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15
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Freer JJ, Daase M, Tarling GA. Modelling the biogeographic boundary shift of Calanus finmarchicus reveals drivers of Arctic Atlantification by subarctic zooplankton. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2022; 28:429-440. [PMID: 34652875 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.15937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Biological communities in the Arctic are changing through the climate-driven encroachment of subarctic species. This "Atlantification" extends to keystone Calanoid copepods, as the small-bodied Calanus finmarchicus increases in abundance in areas where it overlaps with larger Arctic congeners. The environmental factors that are facilitating this shift, whether related to optimal conditions in temperature or seasonality, remain unclear. Assessing these drivers at an Arctic-wide scale is necessary to predict future ecosystem change and impacts. Here we have compiled range-wide occurrences of C. finmarchicus and a suite of seasonal biophysical climatologies to build a boreo-Arctic ecological niche model. The data set was divided into two eras, 1955-1984 and 1985-2017, and an optimized MaxEnt model was used to predict the seasonal distribution of the abiotic niche of C. finmarchicus in both eras. Comparing outputs between eras reveals an increase in habitat suitability at the Arctic range edge. Large and significant increases in suitability are predicted in the regions of the Greenland, Labrador, and Southern Barents Seas that have experienced reduced sea-ice cover. With the exception of the Barents Sea, these areas also show a seasonal shift in the timing of peak habitat suitability toward an earlier season. Our findings suggest that the Atlantification of Arctic zooplankton communities is accompanied by climate-driven phenology changes. Although seasonality is a critical constraint to the establishment of C. finmarchicus at Arctic latitudes, earlier sea-ice retreat and associated productivity is making these environments increasingly favorable for this subarctic species.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Malin Daase
- Faculty of Biosciences, Fisheries and Economics, The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
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16
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Lameris TK, Hoekendijk J, Aarts G, Aarts A, Allen AM, Bienfait L, Bijleveld AI, Bongers MF, Brasseur S, Chan YC, de Ferrante F, de Gelder J, Derksen H, Dijkgraaf L, Dijkhuis LR, Dijkstra S, Elbertsen G, Ernsten R, Foxen T, Gaarenstroom J, Gelhausen A, van Gils JA, Grosscurt S, Grundlehner A, Hertlein ML, van Heumen AJ, Heurman M, Huffeldt NP, Hutter WH, Kamstra YJJ, Keij F, van Kempen S, Keurntjes G, Knap H, Loonstra AJ, Nolet BA, Nuijten RJ, Mattijssen D, Oosterhoff H, Paarlberg N, Parekh M, Pattyn J, Polak C, Quist Y, Ras S, Reneerkens J, Ruth S, van der Schaar E, Schroen G, Spikman F, van Velzen J, Voorn E, Vos J, Wang D, Westdijk W, Wind M, Zhemchuzhnikov MK, van Langevelde F. Migratory vertebrates shift migration timing and distributions in a warming Arctic. ANIMAL MIGRATION 2021. [DOI: 10.1515/ami-2020-0112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Climate warming in the Arctic has led to warmer and earlier springs, and as a result, many food resources for migratory animals become available earlier in the season, as well as become distributed further northwards. To optimally profit from these resources, migratory animals are expected to arrive earlier in the Arctic, as well as shift their own spatial distributions northwards. Here, we review literature to assess whether Arctic migratory birds and mammals already show shifts in migration timing or distribution in response to the warming climate. Distribution shifts were most prominent in marine mammals, as expected from observed northward shifts of their resources. At least for many bird species, the ability to shift distributions is likely constrained by available habitat further north. Shifts in timing have been shown in many species of terrestrial birds and ungulates, as well as for polar bears. Within species, we found strong variation in shifts in timing and distributions between populations. Ou r review thus shows that many migratory animals display shifts in migration timing and spatial distribution in reaction to a warming Arctic. Importantly, we identify large knowledge gaps especially concerning distribution shifts and timing of autumn migration, especially for marine mammals. Our understanding of how migratory animals respond to climate change appears to be mostly limited by the lack of long-term monitoring studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas K. Lameris
- Department of Coastal Systems , NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research , Den Burg, Texel, The Netherlands ; Department of Animal Ecology , Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW) , Wageningen , the Netherlands
| | - Jeroen Hoekendijk
- Department of Coastal Systems , NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research , Den Burg, Texel, The Netherlands
| | - Geert Aarts
- Department of Coastal Systems , NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research , Den Burg, Texel, The Netherlands
- Wildlife Ecology & Conservation Group , Wageningen University , Wageningen , The Netherlands
- Wageningen Marine Research , Wage-ningen University and Research , Den Helder , the Netherlands
| | - Aline Aarts
- Wildlife Ecology & Conservation Group , Wageningen University , Wageningen , The Netherlands
| | - Andrew M. Allen
- Department of Animal Ecology , Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW) , Wageningen , the Netherlands
| | - Louise Bienfait
- Wildlife Ecology & Conservation Group , Wageningen University , Wageningen , The Netherlands
| | - Allert I. Bijleveld
- Department of Coastal Systems , NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research , Den Burg, Texel, The Netherlands
| | - Morten F. Bongers
- Wildlife Ecology & Conservation Group , Wageningen University , Wageningen , The Netherlands
| | - Sophie Brasseur
- Department of Coastal Systems , NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research , Den Burg, Texel, The Netherlands
- Wageningen Marine Research , Wage-ningen University and Research , Den Helder , the Netherlands
| | - Ying-Chi Chan
- Department of Coastal Systems , NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research , Den Burg, Texel, The Netherlands
- Conservation Ecology Group, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES) , University of Groningen , Groningen , the Netherlands
| | - Frits de Ferrante
- Wildlife Ecology & Conservation Group , Wageningen University , Wageningen , The Netherlands
| | - Jesse de Gelder
- Wildlife Ecology & Conservation Group , Wageningen University , Wageningen , The Netherlands
| | - Hilmar Derksen
- Wildlife Ecology & Conservation Group , Wageningen University , Wageningen , The Netherlands
| | - Lisa Dijkgraaf
- Wildlife Ecology & Conservation Group , Wageningen University , Wageningen , The Netherlands
| | - Laurens R. Dijkhuis
- Wildlife Ecology & Conservation Group , Wageningen University , Wageningen , The Netherlands
| | - Sanne Dijkstra
- Wildlife Ecology & Conservation Group , Wageningen University , Wageningen , The Netherlands
| | - Gert Elbertsen
- Wildlife Ecology & Conservation Group , Wageningen University , Wageningen , The Netherlands
| | - Roosmarijn Ernsten
- Wildlife Ecology & Conservation Group , Wageningen University , Wageningen , The Netherlands
| | - Tessa Foxen
- Wildlife Ecology & Conservation Group , Wageningen University , Wageningen , The Netherlands
| | - Jari Gaarenstroom
- Wildlife Ecology & Conservation Group , Wageningen University , Wageningen , The Netherlands
| | - Anna Gelhausen
- Wildlife Ecology & Conservation Group , Wageningen University , Wageningen , The Netherlands
| | - Jan A. van Gils
- Department of Coastal Systems , NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research , Den Burg, Texel, The Netherlands
- Conservation Ecology Group, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES) , University of Groningen , Groningen , the Netherlands
| | - Sebastiaan Grosscurt
- Wildlife Ecology & Conservation Group , Wageningen University , Wageningen , The Netherlands
| | - Anne Grundlehner
- Wildlife Ecology & Conservation Group , Wageningen University , Wageningen , The Netherlands
| | - Marit L. Hertlein
- Wildlife Ecology & Conservation Group , Wageningen University , Wageningen , The Netherlands
| | - Anouk J.P. van Heumen
- Wildlife Ecology & Conservation Group , Wageningen University , Wageningen , The Netherlands
| | - Moniek Heurman
- Wildlife Ecology & Conservation Group , Wageningen University , Wageningen , The Netherlands
| | - Nicholas Per Huffeldt
- Greenland Institute of Natural Resources , Nuuk , Greenland & Arctic Ecosystem Ecology, Department of Bioscience , Aarhus University , Roskilde , Denmark
| | - Willemijn H. Hutter
- Wildlife Ecology & Conservation Group , Wageningen University , Wageningen , The Netherlands
| | - Ynze J. J. Kamstra
- Wildlife Ecology & Conservation Group , Wageningen University , Wageningen , The Netherlands
| | - Femke Keij
- Wildlife Ecology & Conservation Group , Wageningen University , Wageningen , The Netherlands
| | - Susanne van Kempen
- Wildlife Ecology & Conservation Group , Wageningen University , Wageningen , The Netherlands
| | - Gabi Keurntjes
- Wildlife Ecology & Conservation Group , Wageningen University , Wageningen , The Netherlands
| | - Harmen Knap
- Wildlife Ecology & Conservation Group , Wageningen University , Wageningen , The Netherlands
| | | | - Bart A. Nolet
- Department of Animal Ecology , Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW) , Wageningen , the Netherlands
- Theoretical and Computational Ecology, Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics , University of Amsterdam , Amsterdam , the Netherlands
| | - Rascha J.M. Nuijten
- Wildlife Ecology & Conservation Group , Wageningen University , Wageningen , The Netherlands
- Interdisciplinary Centre for Conservation Science, Department of Zoology , University of Oxford , Oxford , UK
| | - Djan Mattijssen
- Wildlife Ecology & Conservation Group , Wageningen University , Wageningen , The Netherlands
| | - Hanna Oosterhoff
- Wildlife Ecology & Conservation Group , Wageningen University , Wageningen , The Netherlands
| | - Nienke Paarlberg
- Wildlife Ecology & Conservation Group , Wageningen University , Wageningen , The Netherlands
| | - Malou Parekh
- Wildlife Ecology & Conservation Group , Wageningen University , Wageningen , The Netherlands
| | - Jef Pattyn
- Wildlife Ecology & Conservation Group , Wageningen University , Wageningen , The Netherlands
| | - Celeste Polak
- Wildlife Ecology & Conservation Group , Wageningen University , Wageningen , The Netherlands
| | - Yordi Quist
- Wildlife Ecology & Conservation Group , Wageningen University , Wageningen , The Netherlands
| | - Susan Ras
- Wildlife Ecology & Conservation Group , Wageningen University , Wageningen , The Netherlands
| | - Jeroen Reneerkens
- Department of Coastal Systems , NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research , Den Burg, Texel, The Netherlands
| | - Saskia Ruth
- Wildlife Ecology & Conservation Group , Wageningen University , Wageningen , The Netherlands
| | - Evelien van der Schaar
- Wildlife Ecology & Conservation Group , Wageningen University , Wageningen , The Netherlands
| | - Geert Schroen
- Wildlife Ecology & Conservation Group , Wageningen University , Wageningen , The Netherlands
| | - Fanny Spikman
- Wildlife Ecology & Conservation Group , Wageningen University , Wageningen , The Netherlands
| | - Joyce van Velzen
- Wildlife Ecology & Conservation Group , Wageningen University , Wageningen , The Netherlands
| | - Ezra Voorn
- Wildlife Ecology & Conservation Group , Wageningen University , Wageningen , The Netherlands
| | - Janneke Vos
- Wildlife Ecology & Conservation Group , Wageningen University , Wageningen , The Netherlands
| | - Danyang Wang
- Wildlife Ecology & Conservation Group , Wageningen University , Wageningen , The Netherlands
| | - Wilson Westdijk
- Wildlife Ecology & Conservation Group , Wageningen University , Wageningen , The Netherlands
| | - Marco Wind
- Wildlife Ecology & Conservation Group , Wageningen University , Wageningen , The Netherlands
| | - Mikhail K. Zhemchuzhnikov
- Department of Coastal Systems , NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research , Den Burg, Texel, The Netherlands
| | - Frank van Langevelde
- Wildlife Ecology & Conservation Group , Wageningen University , Wageningen , The Netherlands
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17
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Merkel FR, Linnebjerg JF, Andersen OGN, Huffeldt NP, Jansen T, Hedeholm R, Frederiksen M. Changing winter diet of Thick-billed Murres (Uria lomvia) in southwest Greenland, 1990s versus 2010s. CAN J ZOOL 2021. [DOI: 10.1139/cjz-2021-0120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Southwest Greenland constitutes an internationally important wintering area for seabirds, including Thick-billed Murres (Uria lomvia (Linnaeus, 1758)), but their prey may be affected by the general warming of this sub-Arctic region. We compared murre diet collected in winter in the 1990s and in the 2010s around Nuuk, Greenland. Fish made up 36% of the diet (wet mass) and crustaceans 63% in the 1990s, changing to 22% and 78% in the 2010s, respectively. Capelin (Mallotus villosus (Müller, 1776)) was the dominant fish species, and the smaller contribution in the 2010s coincided with declining densities of capelin around Nuuk. The crustaceans were dominated by two krill species (Meganyctiphanes norvegica (M. Sars, 1857) and Thysanoessa inermis (Krøyer, 1846)). However, M. norvegica was only important in the 2010s (51% wet mass), while T. inermis was dominating the 1990s with 62% wet mass and only 23% in the 2010s. The dominance of M. norvegica in the 2010s confirmed our expectations of a gradual “borealization” of this region due to the generally warming sub-Arctic. The smaller contribution of fish in the diet may also support the hypothesis of deteriorating winter conditions for murres. Apart from the diet, plastic was found in 15% of the birds and 53% had parasitic nematodes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flemming Ravn Merkel
- Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
- Greenland Institute of Natural Resources, Kivioq 2, PO Box 570, 3900 Nuuk, Greenland
| | | | | | - Nicholas Per Huffeldt
- Greenland Institute of Natural Resources, Kivioq 2, PO Box 570, 3900 Nuuk, Greenland
| | - Teunis Jansen
- Greenland Institute of Natural Resources, Kivioq 2, PO Box 570, 3900 Nuuk, Greenland
- DTU AQUA – National Institute of Aquatic Resources, Kemitorvet, Building 202, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Rasmus Hedeholm
- Greenland Institute of Natural Resources, Kivioq 2, PO Box 570, 3900 Nuuk, Greenland
- Sustainable Fisheries Greenland, Hellebarden 7, 9230 Svenstrup, Denmark
| | - Morten Frederiksen
- Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
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18
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Descamps S, Ramírez F. Species and spatial variation in the effects of sea ice on Arctic seabird populations. DIVERS DISTRIB 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/ddi.13389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Francisco Ramírez
- Institut de Ciències del Mar (ICM‐CSIC) Department of Renewable Marine Resources Passeig Maritim de la Barceloneta Barcelona Spain
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19
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Descamps S, Strøm H. As the Arctic becomes boreal: ongoing shifts in a high-Arctic seabird community. Ecology 2021; 102:e03485. [PMID: 34289096 DOI: 10.1002/ecy.3485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Revised: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The Arctic is currently experiencing the most rapid warming on Earth. Arctic species communities are expected to be restructured with species adapted to warmer conditions spreading poleward and, if already present, becoming more abundant. We tested this prediction using long-term monitoring data (2009-2018) from nine of the most common seabird species breeding in the High Arctic Svalbard archipelago. This region is characterized by rapidly warming ocean temperatures, declining sea-ice concentrations and an increasing influence of Atlantic waters. Concurrent with these environmental changes, we found a shift in the Svalbard seabird community, with an increase in abundance of boreal species (defined here as species breeding commonly in temperate environments) and a decline in Arctic species (species breeding predominantly in the Arctic). Combined with previous observations from lower trophic levels, our results confirmed that part of the Arctic fauna is moving from an arctic to a boreal (or north temperate) state, a process referred to as a "borealization." Spatial variations exist among colonies for some species, indicating that local conditions may affect the trajectories of specific populations and potentially counterbalance the consequences of large-scale climate warming.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hallvard Strøm
- Norwegian Polar Institute, Fram Centre, Tromsø, 9296, Norway
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20
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Ahonen H, Stafford KM, Lydersen C, Berchok CL, Moore SE, Kovacs KM. Interannual variability in acoustic detection of blue and fin whale calls in the Northeast Atlantic High Arctic between 2008 and 2018. ENDANGER SPECIES RES 2021. [DOI: 10.3354/esr01132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Northern Hemisphere blue and fin whales are regular summer migrants to Arctic waters. Given the profound changes the Arctic is currently undergoing due to global warming, changes in habitat use and distribution of these migratory species are predicted. In this study, 3 passive acoustic recorders, 2 in Fram Strait about 95 km apart and 1 north of the Svalbard Archipelago (Atwain), were used to investigate the spatial and temporal vocal occurrence of these species in the Northeast Atlantic High Arctic. Acoustic data were available for 7 years for western Fram Strait (WFS), 2.5 years for central Fram Strait (CFS) and 3 years for Atwain. At both Fram Strait locations, most blue whale call detections occurred from August through October, though recently (2015-2018) in WFS a clear increase in blue whale call rates was detected in June/July, suggesting an expansion of the seasonal occurrence of blue whales. In WFS, fin whale calls were detected intermittently, at low levels, almost year-round. In CFS, fin whale calls were more frequent but occurred mainly from July through December. At Atwain, blue whale detections commenced in July, both species were recorded in September/October and fin whale calls extended into November. Results from this study provide novel long-term baseline information about the occurrence of blue and fin whales at extreme northerly locations, where traditional ship-based survey methods are seasonally limited. Continued sampling will support investigation of how environmental change influences cetacean distribution and habitat use.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Ahonen
- Norwegian Polar Institute, 9296 Tromsø, Norway
| | - KM Stafford
- Applied Physics Laboratory, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
| | - C Lydersen
- Norwegian Polar Institute, 9296 Tromsø, Norway
| | - CL Berchok
- Marine Mammal Laboratory, NOAA/AFSC, Seattle, WA 98115, USA
| | - SE Moore
- Department of Biology, University of Washington, Seattle WA 98105, USA
| | - KM Kovacs
- Norwegian Polar Institute, 9296 Tromsø, Norway
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21
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Weydmann-Zwolicka A, Prątnicka P, Łącka M, Majaneva S, Cottier F, Berge J. Zooplankton and sediment fluxes in two contrasting fjords reveal Atlantification of the Arctic. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 773:145599. [PMID: 33592480 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.145599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Revised: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Svalbard fjords are facing a significant increase in Atlantic water inflow, which influences all ecosystem components, thus the objective of this study was to assess how recent Atlantification impacts the functioning of zooplankton community. For this purpose, two year-round operating sediment traps and associated hydrographic instruments, providing continuous time series of zooplankton and sediment fluxes, were deployed in the Atlantic-influenced Kongsfjorden and the typical high Arctic fjord Rijpfjorden. We used multivariate statistical methods to analyze how environmental variables, including the sediment fluxes, influence the zooplankton communities in the fjords. We found out that sedimentation rates were an order of magnitude higher in Kongsfjorden (reaching 39.7 g m-2 d-1 in December) and increased in autumn, while in Rijpfjorden, they peaked in late winter - early spring (2.9 g m-2 d-1 in February). Such sediment flux patterns might result from the redeposition of sediments from shallower, subtidal areas and were probably connected to autumn/winter storms. According to multivariate analyses, zooplankton in Kongsfjorden were significantly influenced by water temperature, which explained 22% of their variation, and the flux of organic and mineral sediments explaining 15% and 7.8%, respectively; while in Rijpfjorden, it was sea ice (25.3%), water temperature (16.2%), salinity (8.1%), and mineral sedimentation (6.3%). The structure of zooplankton communities in both fjords was similar in winter; in Kongsfjorden, zooplankton kept developing through spring and summer, while in the Arctic Rijpfjorden, the community paused until the onset of phytoplankton bloom and sea ice break-up in summer, to finally achieve, in autumn, a similar species and development stage structure as summer in the Atlantic-influenced fjord. Our study demonstrates how integrating multiple pieces of information can provide key insights into the relations between Atlantification, sediment flux, and zooplankton community, thus helping to assess the functioning of high Arctic ecosystems under climate change conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agata Weydmann-Zwolicka
- University of Gdansk, Institute of Oceanography, Department of Marine Plankton Research, Al. M. Piłsudskiego 46, 81 - 378 Gdynia, Poland.
| | - Paula Prątnicka
- University of Gdansk, Institute of Oceanography, Department of Marine Plankton Research, Al. M. Piłsudskiego 46, 81 - 378 Gdynia, Poland
| | - Magdalena Łącka
- Institute of Oceanology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Powstańców Warszawy 55, 81-712 Sopot, Poland
| | - Sanna Majaneva
- The Arctic University of Norway, Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, NO- 9019 Tromsø, Norway; Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Department of Biology / Trondhjem Biological Station, NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Finlo Cottier
- Scottish Association for Marine Science, Oban, United Kingdom; The Arctic University of Norway, Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, NO- 9019 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Jørgen Berge
- The Arctic University of Norway, Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, NO- 9019 Tromsø, Norway
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Csapó HK, Grabowski M, Węsławski JM. Coming home - Boreal ecosystem claims Atlantic sector of the Arctic. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 771:144817. [PMID: 33736126 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.144817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Revised: 12/25/2020] [Accepted: 12/25/2020] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
The Atlantification of the European Arctic has been an increasingly discussed topic in polar science over the past two decades. The alteration of local marine ecosystems towards a more temperate state and the appearance/range expansion of subarctic-boreal species at higher latitudes is a complex phenomenon induced mainly by the changing properties of Atlantic water (AW) transported from the south. Areas under the direct influence of AW experience biological Atlantification of their communities on all trophic levels, resulting in the growing complexity of arctic food webs. Here, besides summarising the main documented messages of biological Atlantification, we take a critical view on the threat posed on Arctic marine communities. We take into account the formation of the Arctic marine fauna, as well as the nature of (re)colonisation of Arctic sites by boreal organisms when evaluating the extent of the issue. We take a look at the history of Arctic colonisations by boreal organisms in an attempt to identify 'neonative taxa returning home'. We also highlight the role of floating plastic debris as an 'instrument from the toolbox of the Anthropocene' aiding the distribution of marine taxa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hedvig Kriszta Csapó
- Polish Academy of Sciences, Institute of Oceanology, 81-712 Sopot, Poland; University of Lodz, Faculty of Biology & Environmental Protection, Department of Invertebrate Zoology & Hydrobiology, 90-237 Lodz, Poland.
| | - Michał Grabowski
- University of Lodz, Faculty of Biology & Environmental Protection, Department of Invertebrate Zoology & Hydrobiology, 90-237 Lodz, Poland
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23
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Reduced seasonal sea ice and increased sea surface temperature change prey and foraging behaviour in an ice-obligate Arctic seabird, Mandt’s black guillemot (Cepphus grylle mandtii). Polar Biol 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s00300-021-02826-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Abstract
AbstractTo monitor the rapid changes occurring in Arctic ecosystems and predict their direction, basic information about the current number and structure of the main components of these systems is necessary. Using boat-based surveys, we studied the numbers and distribution of seabirds foraging in Hornsund (SW Spitsbergen) during three summer seasons. The average number of seabirds foraging concurrently in the whole fjord was estimated at 28,000. Little Auks Alle alle were the most numerous, followed by Northern Fulmars Fulmarus glacialis, Brünnich’s Guillemots Uria lomvia and Black-legged Kittiwakes Rissa tridactyla. The pelagic zone was exploited by some 75% of the birds. Their density was the highest (> 400 ind. km−2) in the tidewater glacier bays, where kittiwakes were predominant, and the lowest in the coastal glacier bays. The seabirds in Hornsund daily consumed c. 12.7 tons of food, i.e. c. 0.2% of the summer mesozooplankton and fish standing stocks available in the fjord. This food consisted primarily of copepods, amphipods and molluscs (c. 70%), whereas fish made up < 15%. More than 50% of this biomass was ingested by pursuit divers, while surface feeders took c. 29% and benthophages c. 13%. About three-quarters of the food biomass was taken from the pelagic zone. This paper describes, for the first time in quantitative terms, the structure and function of a seabird community foraging in an Arctic fjord. It also provides a baseline for future studies on climate-induced changes in the importance of seabirds in the Arctic food web.
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25
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Ershova EA, Nyeggen MU, Yurikova DA, Søreide JE. Seasonal dynamics and life histories of three sympatric species of Pseudocalanus in two Svalbard fjords. JOURNAL OF PLANKTON RESEARCH 2021; 43:209-223. [PMID: 34385887 PMCID: PMC8355481 DOI: 10.1093/plankt/fbab007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Revised: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Small copepods are the most diverse and numerous group in high-latitude zooplankton, yet our knowledge of important species remains poor because of the difficulties involved in correct species identification. In this study, we use a molecular method of identification, a species-specific polymerase chain reaction, to provide the first description of the seasonal dynamics and life histories of the important genus Pseudocalanus in two Svalbard fjords with contrasting environments. We conducted monthly investigations in the relatively warm and ice-free Adventfjorden, supplemented with seasonal samples from the colder, seasonally ice-covered Billefjorden. We found three species of Pseudocalanus (the Arctic P. acuspes and P. minutus, and the boreal P. moultoni). Pseudocalanus acuspes had a distinct annual life cycle and dominated during summer, when it actively reproduced. Surprisingly, the boreal P. moultoni was present year-round in both fjords and was the dominant species during winter; the presence of all life stages of this species throughout the year suggests a more continuous reproduction. The Arctic P. minutus was the rarest of the three species and was likely able to complete its life cycle in Billefjorden but not in Adventfjorden. Our study demonstrates that closely related species may have different life strategies and environmental preferences, which presumably make high-latitude zooplankton communities more resilient to climate change impacts on genus but not necessarily on species level.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Margot U Nyeggen
- University Centre in Svalbard, Pb. 156, Longyearbyen 9171, Norway
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Bergen, PO Box 7803, Bergen 5020, Norway
| | - Daria A Yurikova
- Department of Invertebrate Zoology, Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory 1/12 Moscow 119234, Russian Federation
| | - Janne E Søreide
- University Centre in Svalbard, Pb. 156, Longyearbyen 9171, Norway
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26
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Contribution of archaea and bacteria in sustaining climate change by oxidizing ammonia and sulfur in an Arctic Fjord. Genomics 2020; 113:1272-1276. [PMID: 33161088 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2020.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2020] [Revised: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The present study attempts to investigate the microbial communities and their potential to oxidize ammonia and sulfur at different sites of Arctic Fjord by targeted metagenomics. The high throughput sequencing revealed archaeal Thaumarchaeota (79.3%), Crenarchaeota (10.9%), Euryarchaeota (5.4%), and Woesearchaeota (2.9%) across different depths. In contrast, the bacterial communities depict predominance of Proteobacteria (52.6%), which comprises of dominant genera viz. Sulfurovum (11.2%) and Sulfurimonas (6.3%). Characterizing the metabolic potential of microbial communities with prime focus on the ammonia and sulfur cycling revealed the presence of amoABC and narGHYZ/ nxrAB genes encoding key enzymes. The ammonia cycling coupled with an augmentation of members of Nitrosopumilus belonging to the phylum Thaumarcheaota suggests the vital role of archaeal communities. Similarly, the persistence of chemolithoautotrophic members of Sulfurovum and Sulfurimonas along with the anaerobic genera Desulfocapsa and Desulfobulbus harboring SOX (sulfur-oxidation) system indicates the modulatory role of bacterial communities in sulfur cycling.
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27
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Spatio-temporal distribution and acoustic characterization of haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus, Gadidae) calls in the Arctic fjord Kongsfjorden (Svalbard Islands). Sci Rep 2020; 10:18297. [PMID: 33106530 PMCID: PMC7588448 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-75415-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2019] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study we analysed the acoustic properties and presence of haddock calls in the Arctic fjord Kongsfjorden (79° N–12° E, Svalbard Islands, Norway) in one year. Data were collected with three autonomous acoustic recorders located in the inner, middle, and outer parts of the fjord. The fjord is characterized by a gradient of oceanographic conditions from the inner to the outer part, reflecting changes from Arctic to Atlantic waters. Haddock sounds were more abundant in the outer fjord than in the middle fjord, whereas they were absent at the inner site. Mainly at the open-water site, the call abundance exhibited strong periodicity and a correlation with the cycles of neap tide (15 days) in August, with a clear diel cycle (24 h) in September and October. This result suggests that in this extreme environment with 24 h of light during summer, haddock regulate their acoustic activity according to the main available oscillating external physical driver, such as tide during the polar summer, while when the alternation of light/dark starts, they shift the periodicity of their calls to a diel cycle. Calls were recorded outside the spawning period (from July to October), and their characteristics indicated non-reproductive communicative contests. By using a detailed sound analysis based on previous laboratory studies for the first time, we suggest that the monitored population contains mainly juveniles (44% compared to 41% females and only approximately 15% mature males), showing the predominance of females in the middle fjord and juveniles at the open-water site.
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28
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Solan M, Ward ER, Wood CL, Reed AJ, Grange LJ, Godbold JA. Climate-driven benthic invertebrate activity and biogeochemical functioning across the Barents Sea polar front. PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. SERIES A, MATHEMATICAL, PHYSICAL, AND ENGINEERING SCIENCES 2020; 378:20190365. [PMID: 32862817 PMCID: PMC7481672 DOI: 10.1098/rsta.2019.0365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Arctic marine ecosystems are undergoing rapid correction in response to multiple expressions of climate change, but the consequences of altered biodiversity for the sequestration, transformation and storage of nutrients are poorly constrained. Here, we determine the bioturbation activity of sediment-dwelling invertebrate communities over two consecutive summers that contrasted in sea-ice extent along a transect intersecting the polar front. We find a clear separation in community composition at the polar front that marks a transition in the type and amount of bioturbation activity, and associated nutrient concentrations, sufficient to distinguish a southern high from a northern low. While patterns in community structure reflect proximity to arctic versus boreal conditions, our observations strongly suggest that faunal activity is moderated by seasonal variations in sea ice extent that influence food supply to the benthos. Our observations help visualize how a climate-driven reorganization of the Barents Sea benthic ecosystem may be expressed, and emphasize the rapidity with which an entire region could experience a functional transformation. As strong benthic-pelagic coupling is typical across most parts of the Arctic shelf, the response of these ecosystems to a changing climate will have important ramifications for ecosystem functioning and the trophic structure of the entire food web. This article is part of the theme issue 'The changing Arctic Ocean: consequences for biological communities, biogeochemical processes and ecosystem functioning'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Solan
- School of Ocean and Earth Science, National Oceanography Centre Southampton, University of Southampton, Waterfront Campus, European Way, Southampton SO14 3ZH, UK
- e-mail:
| | - Ellie R. Ward
- School of Ocean and Earth Science, National Oceanography Centre Southampton, University of Southampton, Waterfront Campus, European Way, Southampton SO14 3ZH, UK
| | - Christina L. Wood
- School of Ocean and Earth Science, National Oceanography Centre Southampton, University of Southampton, Waterfront Campus, European Way, Southampton SO14 3ZH, UK
| | - Adam J. Reed
- School of Ocean and Earth Science, National Oceanography Centre Southampton, University of Southampton, Waterfront Campus, European Way, Southampton SO14 3ZH, UK
| | - Laura J. Grange
- School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 2DG, UK
| | - Jasmin A. Godbold
- School of Ocean and Earth Science, National Oceanography Centre Southampton, University of Southampton, Waterfront Campus, European Way, Southampton SO14 3ZH, UK
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29
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Bengtsson O, Lydersen C, Kovacs KM, Lindström U. Ringed seal (Pusa hispida) diet on the west coast of Spitsbergen, Svalbard, Norway: during a time of ecosystem change. Polar Biol 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s00300-020-02684-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
AbstractGlobal warming is causing Atlantification of water masses and concomitant changes in food webs in the Barents Sea region. To determine whether changes that have been documented at lower trophic levels are impacting the diet of ringed seals (Pusa hispida) gastrointestinal tracts (GITs) from 99 coastal-feeding ringed seals, collected in western Spitsbergen, Svalbard, were analysed via identification of hard-parts. The study animals were shot in spring (n = 30; April–July) or autumn (n = 69; August–October) during four consecutive years (2014–2017). Thirty different prey types were identified, but most seals (55.6%) had consumed between 2 and 4 different types of prey. Polar cod (Boreogadus saida) dominated the diet of the ringed seals in terms of relative biomass (Bi = 60.0%) and frequency of occurrence (FOi = 86.9%), followed by pricklebacks (Stichaeidae; Bi = 23.4%; FOi = 79.8%). Redundancy analysis (RDA) revealed that year was the only significant predictor explaining variance in autumn diet composition (RDA, F3 = 4.96, AIC = − 76.49, p ≤ 0.0050; blubber content and maturity/sex group were not significant). Blue whiting (Micromesistius poutassou) occurred in the diet in small quantities; this Atlantic fish species has not previously been documented in the ringed seals’ diet. Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) had the highest Bi (9.2%) among Atlantic prey types. However, despite major changes in the last decade in the fish and zooplankton community in western Svalbard, and consumption of a few Atlantic prey types, the ringed seals’ diet in Svalbard continues to be dominated by Arctic prey, especially polar cod.
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Tartu S, Fisk AT, Götsch A, Kovacs KM, Lydersen C, Routti H. First assessment of pollutant exposure in two balaenopterid whale populations sampled in the Svalbard Archipelago, Norway. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 718:137327. [PMID: 32097839 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.137327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2019] [Revised: 02/12/2020] [Accepted: 02/13/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Pollutant concentrations are poorly known for the largest animals on Earth, blue whales Balaenoptera musculus and fin whales Balaenoptera physalus. In this study, concentrations of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) were determined in blubber biopsies and stable isotope values for nitrogen (δ15N) and carbon (δ13C) were measured using skin biopsies for 18 blue whales and 12 fin whales sampled in waters surrounding the Svalbard Archipelago, Norway. The samples were collected in summer during the period 2014-2018. POPs were dominated by DDTs, PCBs and toxaphenes, with median concentrations in blue/fin whales being 208/341, 127/275 and 133/233 ng/g lipid weight, respectively. Linear models indicated that pollutant concentrations were 1.6-3 times higher in fin whales than in blue whales, which is likely related to the higher trophic positions of fin whales, as indicated by their higher δ15N. Lower δ13C in fin whales suggests that they feed at higher latitudes than blue whales; these values were not correlated with pollutant concentrations. Pollutant levels were approximately twice as high in males compared to females (intraspecifically), which indicates that females of these species offload pollutants to their offspring during gestation and lactation, similar to many other mammalian species. Pollutant concentrations in balaenopterid whales from Svalbard waters were generally much lower than in conspecific whales from the Mediterranean Sea or the Gulf of California, but higher than those in conspecifics from the Antarctic Peninsula.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Tartu
- Norwegian Polar Institute, Fram Centre, Tromsø N-9296, Norway
| | - Aaron T Fisk
- School of the Environment, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario N9B 3P4, Canada
| | - Arntraut Götsch
- Norwegian Institute for Air Research (NILU), Fram Centre, Tromsø N-9296, Norway
| | - Kit M Kovacs
- Norwegian Polar Institute, Fram Centre, Tromsø N-9296, Norway
| | | | - Heli Routti
- Norwegian Polar Institute, Fram Centre, Tromsø N-9296, Norway.
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31
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Flexibility of little auks foraging in various oceanographic features in a changing Arctic. Sci Rep 2020; 10:8283. [PMID: 32427941 PMCID: PMC7237489 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-65210-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2019] [Accepted: 04/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Using GPS-tracked individuals, we compared foraging ecology and reproductive output of a High-Arctic zooplanktivorous seabird, the little auk Alle alle, between three years differing in environmental conditions (sea surface temperature). Despite contrasting environmental conditions, average foraging fights distance and duration were generally similar in all studied years. Also, in all years foraging locations visited by the little auk parents during short trips (ST, for chick provisioning) were significantly closer to the colony compared to those visited during long trips (LTs, mainly for adults’ self-maintenance). Nevertheless, we also found some differences in the little auk foraging behaviour: duration of LTs was the longest in the coldest year suggesting more time for resting for adults compared to warmer years. Besides, birds foraged closer to the colony and in significantly colder water in the coldest year. Interestingly, these differences did not affect chick diet: in all the years, the energy content of food loads was similar, with the Arctic copepod, Calanus glacialis copepodite stage V being the most preferred prey item (>73% of items by number and >67% by energy content). Also chick survival was similar in all the study years. However, when examining chicks growth rate we found that their peak body mass was lower in warmer years suggesting that overall conditions in the two warm years were less favourable. While our results, demonstrate a great foraging flexibility by little auks, they also point out their vulnerability to changing environmental conditions.
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32
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Hamilton CD, Vacquié-Garcia J, Kovacs KM, Ims RA, Kohler J, Lydersen C. Contrasting changes in space use induced by climate change in two Arctic marine mammal species. Biol Lett 2019; 15:20180834. [PMID: 30836888 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2018.0834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Global warming is inducing major environmental changes in the Arctic. These changes will differentially affect species owing to differences in climate sensitivity and behavioural plasticity. Arctic endemic marine mammals are expected to be impacted significantly by ongoing changes in their key habitats owing to their long life cycles and dependence on ice. Herein, unique biotelemetry datasets for ringed seals (RS; Pusa hispida) and white whales (WW; Delphinapterus leucas) from Svalbard, Norway, spanning two decades (1995-2016) are used to investigate how these species have responded to reduced sea-ice cover and increased Atlantic water influxes. Tidal glacier fronts were traditionally important foraging areas for both species. Following a period with dramatic environmental change, RS now spend significantly more time near tidal glaciers, where Arctic prey presumably still concentrate. Conversely, WW spend significantly less time near tidal glacier fronts and display spatial patterns that suggest that they are foraging on Atlantic fishes that are new to the region. Differences in levels of dietary specialization and overall behavioural plasticity are likely reasons for similar environmental pressures affecting these species differently. Climate change adjustments through behavioural plasticity will be vital for species survival in the Arctic, given the rapidity of change and limited dispersal options.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Kit M Kovacs
- 1 Norwegian Polar Institute, Fram Centre , Tromsø , Norway
| | - Rolf A Ims
- 2 University of Tromsø, The Arctic University of Norway , Tromsø , Norway
| | - Jack Kohler
- 1 Norwegian Polar Institute, Fram Centre , Tromsø , Norway
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33
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Cusset F, Fort J, Mallory M, Braune B, Massicotte P, Massé G. Arctic seabirds and shrinking sea ice: egg analyses reveal the importance of ice-derived resources. Sci Rep 2019; 9:15405. [PMID: 31659198 PMCID: PMC6817817 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-51788-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2019] [Accepted: 10/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
In the Arctic, sea-ice plays a central role in the functioning of marine food webs and its rapid shrinking has large effects on the biota. It is thus crucial to assess the importance of sea-ice and ice-derived resources to Arctic marine species. Here, we used a multi-biomarker approach combining Highly Branched Isoprenoids (HBIs) with δ13C and δ15N to evaluate how much Arctic seabirds rely on sea-ice derived resources during the pre-laying period, and if changes in sea-ice extent and duration affect their investment in reproduction. Eggs of thick-billed murres (Uria lomvia) and northern fulmars (Fulmarus glacialis) were collected in the Canadian Arctic during four years of highly contrasting ice conditions, and analysed for HBIs, isotopic (carbon and nitrogen) and energetic composition. Murres heavily relied on ice-associated prey, and sea-ice was beneficial for this species which produced larger and more energy-dense eggs during icier years. In contrast, fulmars did not exhibit any clear association with sympagic communities and were not impacted by changes in sea ice. Murres, like other species more constrained in their response to sea-ice variations, therefore appear more sensitive to changes and may become the losers of future climate shifts in the Arctic, unlike more resilient species such as fulmars.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fanny Cusset
- UMI Takuvik, Département de Biologie, Université Laval, 1045 Avenue de la Médecine, Québec, QC, G1V 0A6, Canada.
| | - Jérôme Fort
- LIENSs, UMR 7266, CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 2 Rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000, La Rochelle, France
| | - Mark Mallory
- Biology Department, Acadia University, 15 University Avenue, Wolfville, NS, B4P 2R6, Canada
| | - Birgit Braune
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, National Wildlife Research Centre, Carleton University, Raven Road, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0H3, Canada
| | - Philippe Massicotte
- UMI Takuvik, Département de Biologie, Université Laval, 1045 Avenue de la Médecine, Québec, QC, G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Guillaume Massé
- UMI Takuvik, Département de Biologie, Université Laval, 1045 Avenue de la Médecine, Québec, QC, G1V 0A6, Canada.,LOCEAN, UMR 7159, CNRS, MNHN, IRD, Sorbonne-Université, Station Marine de Concarneau, BP225, 29900, Concarneau, France
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34
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Laurel BJ, Copeman LA, Iseri P, Spencer ML, Hutchinson G, Nordtug T, Donald CE, Meier S, Allan SE, Boyd DT, Ylitalo GM, Cameron JR, French BL, Linbo TL, Scholz NL, Incardona JP. Embryonic Crude Oil Exposure Impairs Growth and Lipid Allocation in a Keystone Arctic Forage Fish. iScience 2019; 19:1101-1113. [PMID: 31536959 PMCID: PMC6831839 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2019.08.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2019] [Revised: 07/08/2019] [Accepted: 08/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
As Arctic ice recedes, future oil spills pose increasing risk to keystone species and the ecosystems they support. We show that Polar cod (Boreogadus saida), an energy-rich forage fish for marine mammals, seabirds, and other fish, are highly sensitive to developmental impacts of crude oil. Transient oil exposures ≥300 μg/L during mid-organogenesis disrupted the normal patterning of the jaw as well as the formation and function of the heart, in a manner expected to be lethal to post-hatch larvae. More importantly, we found that exposure to lower levels of oil caused a dysregulation of lipid metabolism and growth that persisted in morphologically normal juveniles. As lipid content is critical for overwinter survival and recruitment, we anticipate Polar cod losses following Arctic oil spills as a consequence of both near-term and delayed mortality. These losses will likely influence energy flow within Arctic food webs in ways that are as-yet poorly understood. Polar cod eggs are buoyant and accumulate crude oil droplets on the chorion Crude oil disrupts embryonic cardiac function and larval lipid metabolism Juvenile growth and lipid content are reduced following brief embryonic oil exposure Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are toxic to cod in parts per trillion concentrations
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin J Laurel
- Alaska Fisheries Science Center, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Newport, OR, USA.
| | - Louise A Copeman
- Oregon State University Hatfield Marine Science Center, Newport, OR, USA
| | - Paul Iseri
- Alaska Fisheries Science Center, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Newport, OR, USA
| | - Mara L Spencer
- Alaska Fisheries Science Center, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Newport, OR, USA
| | - Greg Hutchinson
- Alaska Fisheries Science Center, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Newport, OR, USA
| | | | | | | | - Sarah E Allan
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Office of Response and Restoration, Anchorage, AK, USA
| | - Daryle T Boyd
- Northwest Fisheries Science Center, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Gina M Ylitalo
- Northwest Fisheries Science Center, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - James R Cameron
- Northwest Fisheries Science Center, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Barbara L French
- Northwest Fisheries Science Center, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Tiffany L Linbo
- Northwest Fisheries Science Center, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Nathaniel L Scholz
- Northwest Fisheries Science Center, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - John P Incardona
- Northwest Fisheries Science Center, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Seattle, WA, USA
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35
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Pratte I, Braune BM, Hobson KA, Mallory ML. Variable sea-ice conditions influence trophic dynamics in an Arctic community of marine top predators. Ecol Evol 2019; 9:7639-7651. [PMID: 31346428 PMCID: PMC6635931 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.5313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2019] [Revised: 05/09/2019] [Accepted: 05/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Sea-ice coverage is a key abiotic driver of annual environmental conditions in Arctic marine ecosystems and could be a major factor affecting seabird trophic dynamics. Using stable isotope ratios of carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) in eggs of thick-billed murres (Uria lomvia), northern fulmars (Fulmarus glacialis), glaucous gulls (Larus hyperboreus), and black-legged kittiwakes (Rissa tridactyla), we investigated the trophic ecology of prebreeding seabirds nesting at Prince Leopold Island, Nunavut, and its relationship with sea-ice conditions. The seabird community of Prince Leopold Island had a broader isotopic niche during lower sea-ice conditions, thus having a more divergent diet, while the opposite was observed during years with more extensive sea-ice conditions. Species' trophic position was influenced by sea ice; in years of lower sea-ice concentration, gulls and kittiwakes foraged at higher trophic levels while the opposite was observed for murres and fulmars. For murres and fulmars over a longer time series, there was no evidence of the effect of sea-ice concentration on species' isotopic niche. Results suggest a high degree of adaptation in populations of high Arctic species that cope with harsh and unpredictable conditions. Such different responses of the community isotopic niche also show that the effect of variable sea-ice conditions, despite being subtle at the species level, might have larger implications when considering the trophic ecology of the larger seabird community. Species-specific responses in foraging patterns, in particular trophic position in relation to sea ice, are critical to understanding effects of ecosystem change predicted for a changing climate.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Birgit M. Braune
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, National Wildlife Research CentreCarleton UniversityOttawaOntarioCanada
| | - Keith A. Hobson
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Department of BiologyUniversity of Western OntarioLondonUK
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36
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Holmes FA, Kirchner N, Kuttenkeuler J, Krützfeldt J, Noormets R. Relating ocean temperatures to frontal ablation rates at Svalbard tidewater glaciers: Insights from glacier proximal datasets. Sci Rep 2019; 9:9442. [PMID: 31263126 PMCID: PMC6603002 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-45077-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2019] [Accepted: 05/31/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Fjord-terminating glaciers in Svalbard lose mass through submarine melt and calving (collectively: frontal ablation), and surface melt. With the recently observed Atlantification of water masses in the Barents Sea, warmer waters enter these fjords and may reach glacier fronts, where their role in accelerating frontal ablation remains insufficiently understood. Here, the impact of ocean temperatures on frontal ablation at two glaciers is assessed using time series of water temperature at depth, analysed alongside meteorological and glaciological variables. Ocean temperatures at depth are harvested at distances of 1 km from the calving fronts of the glaciers Kronebreen and Tunabreen, western Svalbard, from 2016 to 2017. We find ocean temperature at depth to control c. 50% of frontal ablation, making it the most important factor. However, its absolute importance is considerably less than found by a 2013–2014 study, where temperatures were sampled much further away from the glaciers. In light of evidence that accelerating levels of global mass loss from marine terminating glaciers are being driven by frontal ablation, our findings illustrate the importance of sampling calving front proximal water masses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felicity A Holmes
- Glaciology and Geomorphology Unit, Department of Physical Geography, Stockholm University, 106 91, Stockholm, Sweden. .,Bolin Centre for Climate Research, Stockholm University, 106 91, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Nina Kirchner
- Glaciology and Geomorphology Unit, Department of Physical Geography, Stockholm University, 106 91, Stockholm, Sweden.,Bolin Centre for Climate Research, Stockholm University, 106 91, Stockholm, Sweden.,Centre for Naval Architecture, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, SE-100 44, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jakob Kuttenkeuler
- Centre for Naval Architecture, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, SE-100 44, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jari Krützfeldt
- Centre for Naval Architecture, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, SE-100 44, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Riko Noormets
- Department of Arctic Geology, University Centre in Svalbard, PO-box 156 N-9171, Longyearbyen, Svalbard, Norway
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37
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Cross-shelf structure and distribution of mesozooplankton communities in the East-Siberian Sea and the adjacent Arctic Ocean. Polar Biol 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s00300-019-02523-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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38
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Descamps S. Breeding synchrony and predator specialization: A test of the predator swamping hypothesis in seabirds. Ecol Evol 2019; 9:1431-1436. [PMID: 30805171 PMCID: PMC6374647 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.4863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2018] [Revised: 11/28/2018] [Accepted: 12/04/2018] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Reproductive synchrony is a widespread phenomenon that is predicted to be adaptive for prey with specialist predators but not for those with generalist ones. I tested this prediction in three polar seabird species characterized by different levels of predator specialization. In the Antarctic petrel, for which the only predator was highly specialized, hatching dates were highly synchronous and chicks that hatched close to the mean hatching date had a higher survival. In black-legged kittiwakes and Brünnich's guillemots, whose predators were generalists, breeding was less synchronous and there was no fitness advantage in hatching close to the mean. This study emphasizes the potential importance of the relative timing of reproduction for individual fitness and supports the hypothesis that the adaptive value of breeding synchrony depends on the predator functional response.
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39
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Amélineau F, Grémillet D, Harding AMA, Walkusz W, Choquet R, Fort J. Arctic climate change and pollution impact little auk foraging and fitness across a decade. Sci Rep 2019; 9:1014. [PMID: 30705325 PMCID: PMC6355795 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-38042-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2018] [Accepted: 12/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Ongoing global changes apply drastic environmental forcing onto Arctic marine ecosystems, particularly through ocean warming, sea-ice shrinkage and enhanced pollution. To test impacts on arctic marine ecological functioning, we used a 12-year integrative study of little auks (Alle alle), the most abundant seabird in the Atlantic Arctic. We monitored the foraging ecology, reproduction, survival and body condition of breeding birds, and we tested linkages between these biological variables and a set of environmental parameters including sea-ice concentration (SIC) and mercury contamination. Little auks showed substantial plasticity in response to SIC, with deeper and longer dives but less time spent underwater and more time flying when SIC decreased. Their diet also contained less lipid-rich ice-associated prey when SIC decreased. Further, in contrast to former studies conducted at the annual scale, little auk fitness proxies were impacted by environmental changes: Adult body condition and chick growth rate were negatively linked to SIC and mercury contamination. However, no trend was found for adult survival despite high inter-annual variability. Our results suggest that potential benefits of milder climatic conditions in East Greenland may be offset by increasing pollution in the Arctic. Overall, our study stresses the importance of long-term studies integrating ecology and ecotoxicology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Françoise Amélineau
- Centre d'Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive (CEFE) UMR 5175, CNRS - Université de Montpellier - Université Paul-Valéry Montpellier - EPHE, Montpellier, France.
- Littoral Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS - Université de La Rochelle, La Rochelle, France.
| | - David Grémillet
- Centre d'Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive (CEFE) UMR 5175, CNRS - Université de Montpellier - Université Paul-Valéry Montpellier - EPHE, Montpellier, France
- Percy FitzPatrick Institute and DST/NRF Excellence Centre at the University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, South Africa
| | - Ann M A Harding
- Environmental Science Department, Alaska Pacific University, Anchorage, AK, USA
| | - Wojciech Walkusz
- Freshwater Institute, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, 501 University Crescent, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
- Institute of Oceanology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Sopot, Poland
| | - Rémi Choquet
- Centre d'Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive (CEFE) UMR 5175, CNRS - Université de Montpellier - Université Paul-Valéry Montpellier - EPHE, Montpellier, France
| | - Jérôme Fort
- Littoral Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS - Université de La Rochelle, La Rochelle, France
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40
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Pavlova O, Gerland S, Hop H. Changes in Sea-Ice Extent and Thickness in Kongsfjorden, Svalbard (2003–2016). THE ECOSYSTEM OF KONGSFJORDEN, SVALBARD 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-46425-1_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
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41
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Hayashi K, Tanabe Y, Ono K, Loonen MJJE, Asano M, Fujitani H, Tokida T, Uchida M, Hayatsu M. Seabird-affected taluses are denitrification hotspots and potential N 2O emitters in the High Arctic. Sci Rep 2018; 8:17261. [PMID: 30467371 PMCID: PMC6250683 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-35669-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2018] [Accepted: 11/10/2018] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
In High Arctic tundra ecosystems, seabird colonies create nitrogen cycling hotspots because of bird-derived labile organic matter. However, knowledge about the nitrogen cycle in such ornithocoprophilous tundra is limited. Here, we determined denitrification potentials and in-situ nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions of surface soils on plant-covered taluses under piscivorous seabird cliffs at two sites (BL and ST) near Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard, in the European High Arctic. Talus soils at both locations had very high denitrification potentials at 10 °C (2.62–4.88 mg N kg−1 dry soil h−1), near the mean daily maximum air temperature in July in Ny-Ålesund, with positive temperature responses at 20 °C (Q10 values, 1.6–2.3). The talus soils contained abundant denitrification genes, suggesting that they are denitrification hotspots. However, high in-situ N2O emissions, indicating the presence of both active aerobic nitrification and anaerobic denitrification, were observed only at BL (max. 16.6 µg N m−2 h−1). Rapid nitrogen turnover at BL was supported by lower carbon-to-nitrogen ratios, higher nitrate content, and higher δ15N values in the soils at BL compared with those at ST. These are attributed to the 30-fold larger seabird density at BL than at ST, providing the larger organic matter input.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kentaro Hayashi
- Institute for Agro-Environmental Sciences, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, 305-8604, Tsukuba, Japan.
| | - Yukiko Tanabe
- National Institute of Polar Research, 190-8518, Tachikawa, Japan.,SOKENDAI (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies), 190-8518, Tachikawa, Japan
| | - Keisuke Ono
- Institute for Agro-Environmental Sciences, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, 305-8604, Tsukuba, Japan
| | | | - Maki Asano
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 305-8572, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Hirotsugu Fujitani
- Research Organization for Nano and Life Innovation, Waseda University, 162-8480, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takeshi Tokida
- Institute for Agro-Environmental Sciences, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, 305-8604, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Masaki Uchida
- National Institute of Polar Research, 190-8518, Tachikawa, Japan.,SOKENDAI (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies), 190-8518, Tachikawa, Japan
| | - Masahito Hayatsu
- Institute for Agro-Environmental Sciences, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, 305-8604, Tsukuba, Japan
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42
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Yurkowski DJ, Hussey NE, Ferguson SH, Fisk AT. A temporal shift in trophic diversity among a predator assemblage in a warming Arctic. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2018; 5:180259. [PMID: 30473804 PMCID: PMC6227933 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.180259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2018] [Accepted: 09/06/2018] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Climate change is leading to northward shifts in species distributions that is altering interspecific interactions at low- and mid-trophic levels. However, little attention has been focused on the effects of redistributions of species on the trophic ecology of a high trophic-level predator assemblage. Here, during a 22-year period (1990-2012) of increasing sea temperature (1.0°C) and decreasing sea ice extent (12%) in Cumberland Sound, Nunavut, Canada, we examined the trophic structure of a near-apex predator assemblage before (1990-2002) and after (2005-2012) an increase in the availability of capelin-generally an indicator species in colder marine environments for a warming climate. Stable isotopes (δ13C and δ15N) were used in a Bayesian framework to assess shifts in diet, niche size and community-wide metrics for beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas), ringed seals (Pusa hispida), Greenland halibut (Reinhardtius hippoglossoides) and anadromous Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus). After 2005, consumption of forage fish increased for all predator species, suggesting diet flexibility with changing abiotic and biotic conditions. An associated temporal shift from a trophically diverse to a trophically redundant predator assemblage occurred where predators now play similar trophic roles by consuming prey primarily from the pelagic energy pathway. Overall, these long-term ecological changes signify that trophic shifts of a high trophic-level predator assemblage associated with climate change have occurred in the Arctic food web.
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Affiliation(s)
- David J. Yurkowski
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, CanadaR3T 2N2
| | - Nigel E. Hussey
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, CanadaN9B 3P4
| | - Steven H. Ferguson
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, CanadaR3T 2N2
- Freshwater Institute, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Winnipeg, Manitoba, CanadaR3T 2N6
| | - Aaron T. Fisk
- Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, CanadaN9B 3P4
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