Collaborative Research: Benthic Faunal Feeding Dynamics on the Antarctic Shelf and the Effects of Global Climate Change on Bentho-Pelagic Coupling

合作研究：南极陆架底栖动物摄食动态以及全球气候变化对底栖-远洋耦合的影响

• 批准号: 0636773
• 负责人: David DeMaster
• 金额: $ 60.26万
• 依托单位: North Carolina State University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 2007
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2007-09-15 至 2012-02-29
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0636773&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Collaborative; Research; Benthic; Faunal; Feeding

AbstractThe Antarctic Peninsula region exhibits one of the largest warming trends in the world. Climate change in this region will reduce the duration of winter sea-ice cover, altering both the pelagic ecosystem and bentho-pelagic coupling. We postulate that shelf benthic ecosystems are highly suitable for tracking climate change because they act as "low-pass" filters, removing high-frequency seasonal noise and responding to longer-term trends in pelagic ecosystem structure and export production. We propose to conduct a 3-year study of bentho-pelagic coupling along a latitudinal climate gradient on the Antarctic Peninsula to explore the potential impacts of climate change (e.g., reduction in sea-ice duration) on Antarctic shelf ecosystems. We will conduct three cruises during summer and winter regimes along a 5- station transect from Smith Island to Marguerite Bay, evaluating a broad range of benthic ecological and biogeochemical processes. Specifically, we will examine the feeding strategies of benthic deposit feeders along this climatic gradient to elucidate the potential response of this major trophic group to climatic warming. In addition, we will (1) quantify carbon and nitrogen cycling and burial at the seafloor and (2) document changes in megafaunal, macrofaunal, and microbial community structure along this latitudinal gradient. We expect to develop predictive insights into the response of Antarctic shelf ecosystems to some of the effects of climate warming (e.g., a reduction in winter sea-ice duration). The proposed research will considerably broaden the ecological and carbon-flux measurements made as parts of the Palmer Station LTER and GLOBEC programs by providing a complementary benthic component. This project also will promote science education from the 9th grade to graduate-student levels. We will partner with the NSF-sponsored Southeastern Center for Ocean Science Education Excellence to reach students of all races in all areas of NC, SC and GA. The project will also benefit students at the post secondary level by supporting three graduate and two undergraduate students. During each of the three field excursions, NCSU and UH students will travel to Chile and Antarctica to participate in scientific research. Lastly, all three PIs will incorporate material from this project into their undergraduate and graduate courses.

摘要南极半岛地区展示了世界上最大的变暖趋势之一。该地区的气候变化将减少冬季冰覆盖的持续时间，从而改变骨膜生态系统和底栖动物耦合。我们假设架子底栖生态系统非常适合跟踪气候变化，因为它们充当“低通”过滤器，消除了高频季节性噪声，并响应了Pelagic生态系统结构和出口产生的长期趋势。我们建议对南极半岛沿纬度气候梯度沿纬度气候梯度进行为期3年的研究，以探索气候变化的潜在影响（例如，Sea-Ice持续时间减少）对南极架子生态系统的潜在影响。我们将在从史密斯岛到玛格丽特湾的5个车站横除夏季和冬季进行三次巡游，评估广泛的底栖生态和生物地球化学过程。具体而言，我们将研究沿该气候梯度的底栖沉积喂养器的喂养策略，以阐明这一主要营养基团对气候变暖的潜在反应。此外，我们将（1）在海底定量碳和氮循环和埋葬，（2）沿该纬度梯度沿着大型，大面积和微生物群落结构的文档变化。我们期望对南极架子生态系统对气候变暖的某些影响的反应发展进行预测性见解（例如，冬季海冰持续时间减少）。拟议的研究将通过提供互补的底栖组件来大大扩展作为Palmer Station lter和Globec计划的一部分进行的生态和碳 - 升华测量。该项目还将促进从9年级到研究生水平的科学教育。我们将与NSF赞助的东南海洋科学教育中心合作，以吸引NC，SC和GA所有地区所有种族的学生。该项目还将通过支持三个研究生和两名本科生，从而使中学后的学生受益。在这三个野外游览中的每一个中，NCSU和UH学生将前往智利和南极洲参加科学研究。最后，所有三个PI都将该项目的材料纳入其本科和研究生课程。