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17 - Population dynamics of Antarctic krill Euphausia superba at South Georgia: sampling with predators provides new insights

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 July 2009

C. J. Camphuysen
By
K. Reid ,
E. J. Murphy ,
J. P. Croxall  and
P. N. Trathan
Edited by
I. L. Boyd  and
S. Wanless
C. J. Camphuysen
Affiliation:
Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research
K. Reid
Affiliation:
British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0ET, UK
E. J. Murphy
Affiliation:
British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0ET, UK
J. P. Croxall
Affiliation:
British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0ET, UK
P. N. Trathan
Affiliation:
British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0ET, UK
I. L. Boyd
Affiliation:
University of St Andrews, Scotland
S. Wanless
Affiliation:
NERC Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, UK
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Summary

Variability in the Southern Ocean is often characterized by fluctuations in the distribution and abundance of a single dominant zooplankton species, Antarctic krill Euphausia superba. The ability to sample krill in the diet of predators at temporal scales not available using conventional (i.e. ship-based) sampling methods has provided the basis for a re-evaluation of the role of high rates of growth and mortality, as well as recruitment variability, in generating variability in krill abundance at South Georgia. In addition, the use of a consistent index of krill population size composition from the diet of predators at South Georgia over the past decade has provided evidence for a relationship between sea-surface temperature and the level of krill recruitment. Predators that depend on krill not only show distinct behavioural responses to changes in krill abundance but also provide dietary data that help us to understand the mechanisms underlying the population dynamics of krill. Where the diet of predators includes commercial prey species, they can provide information on the key life-history variables of these species that are fundamental to reducing uncertainty in fisheries management models.

VARIABILITY IN THE SOUTHERN OCEAN

Understanding the causes and consequences of natural variability in marine ecosystems is a prerequisite to determining the nature and extent of changes of anthropogenic origin and is a central component of ecosystem-based approaches to fisheries management.

Type
Chapter
Information
Top Predators in Marine Ecosystems
Their Role in Monitoring and Management
 , pp. 249 - 261
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2006

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