Nimble vessel cruises as a complementary platform for Southern Ocean biodiversity research: concept and preliminary results from the Belgica 121 expedition

The western Antarctic Peninsula is facing rapid environmental changes and many recent publications stress the need to gain new knowledge regarding ecosystems responses to these changes. In the framework of the Belgica 121 expedition, we tested the use of a nimble vessel with a moderate environmental...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Antarctic Science
Main Authors: Danis, Bruno, Wallis, Ben, Guillaumot, Charlène, Moreau, Camille, Pasotti, Francesca, Heindler, Franz M., Robert, Henri, Christiansen, Henrik, Jossart, Quentin, Saucède, Thomas
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: 2022
Subjects:
Biology and Life Sciences
Geology
Ecology
Evolution
Behavior and Systematics
Oceanography
biodiversity census
biogeography
environmental efficiency
western Antarctic Peninsula
CLIMATE-CHANGE
ANTARCTIC PENINSULA
SEA-ICE
ECOSYSTEMS
ADAPTATION
Antarc*
Antarctic
Antarctic Peninsula
Antarctic Science
Sea ice
Southern Ocean
Online Access:https://biblio.ugent.be/publication/01H98HXBB7067V1QK3ZJPS2ATR
http://hdl.handle.net/1854/LU-01H98HXBB7067V1QK3ZJPS2ATR
https://doi.org/10.1017/s0954102022000165
https://biblio.ugent.be/publication/01H98HXBB7067V1QK3ZJPS2ATR/file/01H98HXZSRSCMHFKP5M0D225WR
Description
Summary:The western Antarctic Peninsula is facing rapid environmental changes and many recent publications stress the need to gain new knowledge regarding ecosystems responses to these changes. In the framework of the Belgica 121 expedition, we tested the use of a nimble vessel with a moderate environmental footprint as an approach to tackle the urgent needs of the Southern Ocean research community in terms of knowledge regarding the levels of marine biodiversity in shallow areas and the potential impacts of retreating glaciers on this biodiversity in combination with increasing tourism pressure. We discuss the strengths and drawbacks of using a 75’ (23 m) sailboat in this research framework, as well as its sampling and environmental efficiency. We propose that the scientific community considers this approach to 1) fill specific knowledge gaps and 2) improve the general coherence of the research objectives of the Antarctic scientific community in terms of biodiversity conservation and the image that such conservation conveys to the general public.

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