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Pole Key Food Source is Moving South |
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by Rosa Domingos | 25-01-2019 16:36
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Krill are small, shrimp-like creatures that swarm in vast numbers and form a major part of the diets of whales, penguins, seabirds, seals and fish. But scientists say this key prey species in the Southern Ocean is retreating towards the Antarctic and this is all due to climate change(Amos, 2019). If the shift is maintained, it will have negative ecosystem impacts, they warn. To add, there is some evidence that macaroni penguins and fur seals may be finding it difficult to get enough of krill to support their populations.  One of the krill competitors (Amos, 2019). Simeon Hill from the British Antarctic Survey also mentioned BBC News that the results suggest that over the past 40 years, the amount of krill has, on average, gone down. The location of the krill has contracted to much less of the habitat. That suggests all these other animals that eat krill will face much more intense competition with each other for this important food resource .The study was published in the journal Nature Climate Change (Amos, 2019). The study was published in the journal Nature Climate Change. Its main focus was on the Scotia Sea and the Antarctic Peninsula, the places where the crustaceans are most abundant. Scientists have been gathering data in these areas since the 1920s. At first, krill were caught and recorded to understand the environmental consequences of commercial whaling, but the information has continued to be collected through to the present. Dr Hill and colleagues say the change in the distribution and density of the crustaceans is a clear indication that emerges in the data from the late 1980s onwards. It coincides with a phase change in a climate oscillation known as the Southern Annular Mode or SAM. The SAM essentially describes the dominant pattern of pressure zones in the southern hemisphere outside of the tropics.The mode's switch in state in the late 80s produced warmer, cloudier, windier weather, and much less sea-ice in those areas where the krill had tended to congregate (Amos, 2019). The larval stage of the crustaceans in particular has been strongly associated with the presence of a sea-ice habitat. Predicted changes under way The team's analysis indicates the centre of krill distribution has now moved to where more favourable conditions are found, tracking southward towards the Antarctic continent by about 440km, or four degrees of latitude. Even the average size of krill has lengthened over this period of time as well, this was said by Dr Hill. Due to this, the population has increasingly become dominated by older and larger animals. This is a result of a decline in the number of krill entering the population - this is called juvenile recruitment. Research has shown that krill would shift southwards in the future, whereas the new research suggested this contraction was already under way (Amos, 2019). The krill do not only support marine mammals and seabirds; an international fishery also extracts something on the order of a quarter of a million tonnes of the crustaceans each year in the Antarctic region. The campaign group WWF-UK said the study showed the need to protect the waters off the Antarctic Peninsula with an effective network of marine protected areas - placing conservation above fishing interests (Amos, 2019). Author/source: Jonathan Amos BBC Science Correspondent, 2019, Antarctic krill: Key food source moves South. [Online]. Available:https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-46953652. Jan 21, 2019. Accessed: Jan 21, 2019.
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Previous : Eco Farming
15 Comments
Greetings Rosa
I hope you are doing well
Thank you so much for this report
Keep writing
Green cheers
Regards
Sus
Posted 15-03-2020 16:46
Hi Mentor Joon!
I concur, climate change has brought about change in the other spheres as it is, it was bound to affect wildlife in due course, and now it has. But this may also mean that krill has evolved in response to climate change which may be a good thing because that means instead of them dying out, they will thrive in the new environment.
Thank you for your support M' Joon!
Posted 02-02-2019 17:10
Hello Rosa, I do remember a short documentary film warning about the case mentioned in your report and it is not that surprising to know krill's movement since it was already expected to be. Triggered by climate change, habitat change initiates when it comes to drastic changes of common habitat of main species, just like krills do. As a pivotal species in pole key food chain, animals that eat krills will directly get affected in negative means.
Thanks for letting us know food security risk among animals in polar region.
Posted 29-01-2019 18:49
HI Deepak!
Very true, so many species are fighting against this pandemic and we need to fight this crisis as well and treat it as a great threat to our survival.
Posted 29-01-2019 14:44
Good day Mentor Gyeongrin!
It has been a while since I have seen you around! I am glad that you are back! Our food chain system will definitely be affect by climate change. It has happened now with crops. One thing that I know for sure is that if we don't arrive to a behavioural notion of change as a unit we may face worse outcomes.
Thank you for reading Gyeongrin!
Posted 29-01-2019 14:43
It shows that how every organism is fighting against climate change
So can evolve but many will go extinct,
Thank you for your report
Posted 28-01-2019 19:17
Hi Rosa!
Thank you for your detailed report about krill. I couldn't expect that krill moving south is influenced by the sea life such as seabirds and seals. It is so sad that climate change effects nature in many other way. And also it is fatal to some species.(Maybe the main cause can be human)
The food chain which is made unaffected is so sturdy and secure. When it is destroyed by force, it might have a lot of demage in the ecosystem. I hope everything can be alright. :)
Keep up the great work!
Posted 28-01-2019 19:08
Hey Dibya!
I humbly am honoured for all the kind words you have shown me. I will try myy very best, I cannot wait to read up on your work as well!
Posted 27-01-2019 22:50
Hello dear Rosa!
Hope you are doing well!
You have always been a source of inspiration to all the fellow ambassador including me!
Thank you for your wonderful report ❤️
Keeping showering eco love to all of us!
Sincerely
Dibya
Green cheers!
Posted 27-01-2019 13:52
Hey Sachin!
Thank you so much for reading my report! Yes, with each day that goes past, adverse signs of climate change are exhibiting.
Thank you for your support!
Posted 26-01-2019 15:59
Hy Rosa
Thanks for sharing the information on krill a whale food.
And yes the pattern of weather shift and global warming is driving these things away.
The article was nicely presented and pleasing to read.
Hope to read more reports from you.
With Love From Nepal
Sachin Regmi
Green Cheers :) :)
Posted 26-01-2019 02:40
Hey Lohita!
Thank you Lohita, it is quite interesting. It just goes to show that climate change is making Earth evolve.
Thank you for reading!
Posted 25-01-2019 22:41
Hey Partner!
It is apperent that climate change not only affects the prevailing climate and seasons but also changes the natural cycle course for species. The migration of the Krill towards the Arctic see is, but a glimpse into what can happen if a drastic resolution does not arise. And the example that you mentioned about the mosquitoes within the Terai region exposes this fact.
But more research and information is still being conducted so as to find out ways to mitigate this issue and I hope this is done before it is too late.
Thank you for reading my report and for your support!
Posted 25-01-2019 22:39
Nice report explaining impact of climate change on creatures and disturbing food chain. Thank you
Posted 25-01-2019 21:40
Climate change is showing its significant effects on earth and creatures living here. The story of Krill truely explains the effects of climate change. It is sad to hear thee southward moment of this creature as it creates disturbance in the food chain cycle of the region which could affect the life of many organism which could create extinction of many lives.
This effect has also be seen in Nepal. We can see the northward shifting of the cropping pattern and animals in Nepal. Mosquito which were seen in the terai region and observed in the low hills and even high hills of Nepal. If we donot act for mitigation and adaptation of climate change the future may be much harse than we imagine
Its already high time for us to Act Now Act Locally and Act Together.
Thank you for such a detailed and beautiful report about krill partner.
Looking forward for your next report.
Keep writing great report.
GREEN CHEERS :) :) from your partner from Nepal )
Keep supporting as always :) :)
Posted 25-01-2019 20:54