The impact of salps (Salpa thompsoni) on the Antarctic krill population (Euphausia superba): an individual-based modelling study ...

Abstract Background Krill (Euphausia superba) and salps (Salpa thompsoni) are key macrozooplankton grazers in the Southern Ocean ecosystem. However, due to differing habitat requirements, both species previously exhibited little spatial overlap. With ongoing climate change-induced seawater temperatu...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Pietzsch, Bruno Walter, Schmidt, Aaron, Groeneveld, Jürgen, Bahlburg, Dominik, Meyer, Bettina, Berger, Uta
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:unknown
Published: figshare 2024
Subjects:
Online Access:https://dx.doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.6872991.v1
https://springernature.figshare.com/collections/The_impact_of_salps_Salpa_thompsoni_on_the_Antarctic_krill_population_Euphausia_superba_an_individual-based_modelling_study/6872991/1
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Summary:Abstract Background Krill (Euphausia superba) and salps (Salpa thompsoni) are key macrozooplankton grazers in the Southern Ocean ecosystem. However, due to differing habitat requirements, both species previously exhibited little spatial overlap. With ongoing climate change-induced seawater temperature increase and regional sea ice loss, salps can now extend their spatial distribution into historically krill-dominated areas and increase rapidly due to asexual reproduction when environmental conditions are favorable. Understanding the potential effects on krill is crucial, since krill is a species of exceptional trophic significance in the Southern Ocean food web. Negative impacts on krill could trigger cascading effects on its predators and prey. To address this question, we combined two individual-based models on salps and krill, which describe the whole life cycle of salp individuals and the dynamic energy budget of individual krill. The resulting new model PEKRIS (PErformance of KRIll vs. Salps) simulates ...