Megabenthic standing stocks and organic carbon demand in a warming Arctic

Mikołaj Mazurkiewicz, Kirstin Meyer-Kaiser, Andrew K. Sweetman, Paul E. Renaud, Maria Włodarska–Kowalczuk

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)
92 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Benthic megafauna (organisms large enough to be visible on seabed photographs) are regarded as important for carbon cycling in benthic habitats. They are a food source for many predators like fish and marine mammals and may stimulate carbon mineralization in sediment by bioturbation. However, few studies address these basic characteristics of megabenthos quantitatively. This study quantifies the spatial variability in standing stock (biomass) and functioning (secondary production, respiration and carbon demand) of benthic megafauna in fjords and on the continental shelf of Svalbard. Organisms were measured from sea bottom images to assess their biomass using length-weight relationships and volumetric methods, then respiration and production were estimated with empirical artificial neural network models. Significantly higher standing stock, secondary production, respiration, and carbon demand were found in fjords categorized as ‘cold’ (as defined by water temperature, prevailing water masses and ice-cover) than in the ‘warm’ ones. Cold fjords were dominated by Echinodermata, while in warm fjords Crustacea prevailed. All megafaunal community parameters were negatively correlated with bottom temperature. It was not possible to assess specific direct impacts of temperature, and indirect effects may be more relevant to our findings. These include temperature-driven changes in primary production, ice cover and ice-algae production or predation pressure from carnivores expanding their ranges northward. The progression of climate warming may affect megafaunal communities by reducing their biomass, production, and carbon demand and have profound effects on ecosystem functioning.
Original languageEnglish
Article number102616
JournalProgress in Oceanography
Volume196
Early online date2 Jun 2021
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Aug 2021

Keywords

  • Benthos
  • Respiration
  • Seabed photography
  • Secondary production
  • Svalbard

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Geology
  • Aquatic Science

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