Quantification of iceberg impact and benthic recolonisation patterns in the Weddell Sea (Antarctica)

Gutt, Julian; Starmans, Andreas

doi:10.1007/s003000100263

Cited by 159 publications

(73 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…In the present case, HN population is situated close to the Bloomstrandbreen glacier, which has been retreating at a rate of 35 m per year being one of the most actively retreating glaciers in Svalbard (Svendsen et al, 2002). Besides the direct effect of icebergs and growlers calving from the glacier that scour the benthos causing a significant physical disturbance (Gutt and Starmans, 2001), the increment of inorganic particulate matter on the water column could also play a very important role affecting benthic communities. The amount of organic carbon available for organisms, especially filter feeders like ascidians, can be severely reduced and in an extreme case the sedimentation of inorganic particles may cause filter-feeder's gills clogging (Fetzer et al, 2002).…”

Section: Genetic Diversitymentioning

confidence: 71%

Population genetic structure of the ascidian Styela rustica at Kongsfjorden, Svalbard, Arctic

Demarchi

Chiappero

Laudien

et al. 2008

Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology

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The actual Arctic biota shows a strong affinity with that of the Boreal Atlantic and Pacific ones, as a result of an active recolonization process after the Quaternary glaciations. The geographic distribution of sessile species is usually linked to larvae dispersive capabilities which can be directly related with time spent in the plankton. Ascidians larvae are lecitothorphic and short-lived, which suggest that ascidians could be not efficient dispersers. However, the solitary ascidian Styela rustica (Linnaeus, 1767) (Tunicata, Ascidiacea) shows a wide distribution pattern from the North Atlantic to the Arctic that, together with the relatively recent colonization of the Arctic system could indicate that this species efficiently disperses and colonizes new habitats. In this study we used ISSR-PCR markers to study the genetic structure of five populations of the ascidian Styela rustica at Kongsfjorden, west Spitsbergen (Svalbard archipelago). We analyzed whether this species presents a low genetic structure, as can be expected due to the historical process of recent post glaciations colonization, or if there is genetic differentiation at a local scale, caused by short-lived larvae and limited dispersal potential. The genetic diversity in each population assessed using the marker diversity index (M) ranged from 0.288 to 0.324. Population HN, situated close to a fast retreating glacier, showed the lowest diversity. Processes associated with deglatiation (icebergs calving from the glacier that scour the benthos and the increment of inorganic particulate matter on the water column) would drive to reduced population sizes and explain the reduced genetic variability observed in the HN population with respect to the others in the fjord. This suggests a possible linkage with the global warming process. Although the weak genetic structure found among the studied populations could indicate a founder effect, the genetic landscape shape analysis together with a positive relationship between genetic and geographic distances also suggest possible current gene flow among populations in the fjord.

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Section: Genetic Diversitymentioning

confidence: 71%

Population genetic structure of the ascidian Styela rustica at Kongsfjorden, Svalbard, Arctic

Demarchi

Chiappero

Laudien

et al. 2008

Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology

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“…Ice disturbance by icebergs is one of the major factors structuring Antarctic benthic communities (Teixidó et al 2004, Lee et al 2001, Gutt, Starmans 2001. Grounded or scouring icebergs severely damage large areas of sea fl oor, changing its topography, altering sediments, modifying bottom current fl ow and destroying whole benthic communities , Gutt, Starmans 2001Barnes, Conlan 2007).…”

Section: Increased Ice Disturbancementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Grounded or scouring icebergs severely damage large areas of sea fl oor, changing its topography, altering sediments, modifying bottom current fl ow and destroying whole benthic communities , Gutt, Starmans 2001Barnes, Conlan 2007).…”

Section: Increased Ice Disturbancementioning

confidence: 99%

“…For example, frequency of iceberg scouring at Signy Island was estimated at once every 50-75 years (Peck, Bullough 1993). Video transects from the eastern Weddell Sea recorded that in intensively scoured areas about 80% of seafl oor was disturbed (Gutt Starmans 2001). Current data show that scouring lead to almost compete removal of bottom macrofauna and >90% of meiofauna , Lee et al 2001.…”

Section: Increased Ice Disturbancementioning

confidence: 99%

“…This disturbance varies with depth, bottom topography, currents and proximity to ice fronts and glaciers, with Antarctic tubular icebergs bulldozing sea fl oor to the depth of ca 600m (Gutt and Starmans 2001). It was estimated that every square meter of the Antarctic shelf will be impacted by an iceberg once in every 340 years (Gutt 2001).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Antarctic Benthic Fauna in the Global Climate Change

Kidawa¹,

Janecki²

2011

Papers on Global Change IGBP

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ABSTRACT:In the last 50 years a signifi cant climatic shift has been observed along the Antarctic Peninsula (air and seawater temperature rise, glacial retreat, localized instances of lowered shallow waters salinities). Many Antarctic marine benthic invertebrates are adapted to specifi c environmental conditions (e.g. low stable temperatures, high salinity and oxygen content). Changes caused by global climate changes and subsequent glacial melting can be expected to have signifi cant impacts on species physiology and distribution. The rise of sea water temperature coupled with such additional stress factors as melt water run-off, increased ice disturbance, disruption of food webs or invasion of alien species can be a serious problem for their long-term survival.

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The Dynamic Mosaic

Barnes

Conlan

2012

Antarctic Ecosystems

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Quantification of iceberg impact and benthic recolonisation patterns in the Weddell Sea (Antarctica)

Cited by 159 publications

References 22 publications

Population genetic structure of the ascidian Styela rustica at Kongsfjorden, Svalbard, Arctic

Population genetic structure of the ascidian Styela rustica at Kongsfjorden, Svalbard, Arctic

Antarctic Benthic Fauna in the Global Climate Change

The Dynamic Mosaic

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