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.

摘要南极半岛地区是世界上气候变暖最严重的地区之一。这一区域的气候变化将减少冬季海冰覆盖的持续时间，改变水层生态系统和海底-水层耦合。我们假定，大陆架底栖生态系统非常适合跟踪气候变化，因为它们起到“低通”滤波器的作用，消除高频季节性噪音，并对远洋生态系统结构和出口生产的长期趋势作出反应。我们建议在南极半岛沿纬度气候梯度进行一项为期3年的海底-远洋耦合研究，以探讨气候变化的潜在影响（例如，减少海冰持续时间）对南极大陆架生态系统的影响。我们将在夏季和冬季沿着从史密斯岛到玛格丽特湾的5站样带进行三次巡航，评估广泛的底栖生态和海洋地球化学过程。具体而言，我们将研究底栖存款馈线沿着这一气候梯度的喂养策略，阐明这一主要营养群体对气候变暖的潜在反应。此外，我们将（1）量化碳和氮的循环和埋藏在海底和（2）记录变化的巨型动物，大型动物和微生物群落结构沿着这个纬度梯度。我们希望对南极大陆架生态系统对气候变暖的一些影响（例如，冬季海冰持续时间缩短）。拟议的研究将通过提供一个补充性的底栖组成部分，大大拓宽作为帕尔默站LTER和GLOBEC方案一部分进行的生态和碳通量测量。该项目还将促进从九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卓越中心合作，以接触NC，SC和GA所有领域的所有种族的学生。该项目还将资助三名研究生和两名本科生，使中学后一级的学生受益。在三次实地考察中，NCSU和UH的学生将前往智利和南极洲参加科学研究。最后，所有三个PI都将把这个项目的材料纳入他们的本科和研究生课程。