On the mechanisms linking climate to ecosystem changes

• Published in: Journal of Marine Systems
• Main Authors: Drinkwater, Kf, Beaugrand, Gregory, Kaeriyama, M., Kim, S., Ottersen, G., Perry, I., Pörtner, Ho, Polovina, J., Takasuka, A.
• Other Authors: Laboratoire d’Océanologie et de Géosciences (LOG) - UMR 8187 (LOG), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Université du Littoral Côte d'Opale (ULCO)-Université de Lille-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: HAL CCSD 2010
• Subjects: [SDU.STU.OC]Sciences of the Universe [physics]/Earth Sciences/Oceanography; Sea ice
• Online Access: https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00762569; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmarsys.2008.12.014

International audience While documentation of climate effects on marine ecosystems has a long history, the underlying processes have often been elusive. In this paper we review some of the ecosystem responses to climate variability and discuss the possible mechanisms through which climate acts. Effects of climatological and oceanographic variables, such as temperature, sea ice, turbulence, and advection, on marine organisms are discussed in terms of their influence on growth, distribution, reproduction, activity rates, recruitment and mortality. Organisms tend to be limited to specific thermal ranges with experimental findings showing that sufficient oxygen supply by ventilation and circulation only occurs within these ranges. Indirect effects of climate forcing through effects on the food web are also discussed. Research and data needs required to improve our knowledge of the processes linking climate to ecosystem changes are presented along with our assessment of our ability to predict ecosystem responses to future climate change scenarios.