Antarctic ascidians under increasing sedimentation: Physiological thresholds and ecosystem hysteresis.
Alternative stable states
Antarctica
Ascidians
Glacier retreat
Hysteresis
Scope for growth
Sedimentation
Suspension feeders
Journal
Marine environmental research
ISSN: 1879-0291
Titre abrégé: Mar Environ Res
Pays: England
ID NLM: 9882895
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
May 2021
May 2021
Historique:
received:
05
12
2020
revised:
11
02
2021
accepted:
15
02
2021
pubmed:
18
3
2021
medline:
19
5
2021
entrez:
17
3
2021
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
Glacier melting sediment inputs affect coastal ecosystems on the Antarctic Peninsula. In Potter Cove (South Shetland Islands, Antarctica), the shift from an "ascidian dominated" to a "mixed" assemblage has been linked to sedimentation. However, in recently described newly ice-free areas ascidians became dominant in spite of total suspended particulate matter (TSPM) concentrations, which are the highest measured in Potter Cove. Here, we compared the gut content and energy reserve of three ascidian species at three stations under different TSPM regimes. All analysed species had a higher gut content with lower %OM at these newly areas. A theoretical relationship between the scope for growth for the targeted ascidians and TSPM explained assemblages' recorded change but failed to explain current ascidians distribution. The results may indicate the existence of a TSPM threshold that allows the spatial coexistence of alternative stable states at benthic Potter Cove system.
Identifiants
pubmed: 33730611
pii: S0141-1136(21)00033-7
doi: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2021.105284
pii:
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
105284Informations de copyright
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