Trophic dynamics and stock characteristics of snow crabs, Chionoecetes opilio, in the Alaskan Arctic

• Main Author: Divine, Lauren Mallory
• Other Authors: Iken, Katrin, Bluhm, Bodil A., Lovvorn, James R., Kruse, Gordon H., Mueter, Franz J.
• Format: Doctoral or Postdoctoral Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: 2016
• Subjects: Arctic; Fairbanks; Beaufort Sea; Chionoecetes opilio; Chukchi; Sea ice; Snow crab; Alaska
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/11122/6810

Dissertation (Ph.D.) University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2016 Arctic waters off the coast of Alaska have become increasingly open to human activities via dramatic climatic changes, such as reduced sea ice thickness and extent, warming ocean temperatures, and increased freshwater input. This research advances knowledge of snow crab trophic dynamics and stock characteristics in Arctic waters off the Alaska coast. Here, I provided baseline information regarding snow crab position in Beaufort Sea benthic food webs, its specific dietary habits in the Chukchi and Beaufort seas, and expanded upon previously limited life-history and population dynamic data in the Chukchi and Beaufort seas. I first detailed benthic food webs on the Alaskan Beaufort Sea shelf and snow crab trophic positions within these food webs using stable δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N isotope analysis. Water column and sediment particulate organic matter (POM) were used as primary food web end members. Isotopic niche space (δ¹³C – δ¹⁵N) occupied by benthic taxa provided measures of community-wide trophic redundancy and separation. Water column and sediment POM δ¹³C values generally reflected terrestrial POM inputs in the eastern and central shallow (14-90 m) Beaufort regions, but were indicative of persistent marine influence in the western and central deep (100-220 m) regions. Food web structure, as reflected by consumer trophic levels (TLs), trophic redundancy, and trophic niche space, supported the POM findings. In the eastern and central shallow regions, consumers occupied mainly lower TL (TL= 1-3), whereas consumers in the western regions occupied intermediate and higher TL (TL= 3-4). Overall trophic redundancy and niche space occupied by food webs in these four regions, however, was similar. The central deep Beaufort food web was unique in all metrics evaluated, and the comparatively largest isotopic niche space, with high trophic niche separation but low trophic redundancy, suggests that this region may be most vulnerable to perturbations. Snow crabs occupied ...