North Sea ecosystem change from swimming crabs to seagulls

• Published in: Biology Letters
• Main Authors: Luczak, C., Beaugrand, G., Lindley, J.A., Dewarumez, J.-M., Dubois, P.J., Kirby, R.R.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: 2012
• Subjects: Larus fuscus graellsii; Polybius henslowii; Lesser black-backed gull
• Online Access: https://www.vliz.be/imisdocs/publications/244501.pdf

A recent increase in sea temperature has established a new ecosystem dynamic regime in the North Sea. Climate-induced changes in decapods have played an important role. Here, we reveal a coincident increase in the abundance of swimming crabs and lesser black-backed gull colonies in the North Sea, both in time and in space. Swimming crabs are an important food source for lesser black-backed gulls during the breeding season. Inhabiting the land, but feeding mainly at sea, lesser black-backed gulls provide a link between marine and terrestrial ecosystems, since the bottom-up influence of allochthonous nutrient input from seabirds to coastal soils can structure the terrestrial food web. We, therefore, suggest that climate-driven changes in trophic interactions in the marine food web may also have ensuing ramifications for the coastal ecology of the North Sea.