Shifting baselines in Antarctic ecosystems; ecophysiological response to warming in Lissarca miliaris at Signy Island, Antarctica

Reed, Adam J.; Thatje, Sven; Linse, Katrin ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3477-3047. 2012 Shifting baselines in Antarctic ecosystems; ecophysiological response to warming in Lissarca miliaris at Signy Island, Antarctica. PLoS ONE, 7 (12), e53477. 7, pp. 10.1371/journal.pone.0053477

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Abstract/Summary

The Antarctic Peninsula has experienced a rapid increase in atmospheric temperature over the last 50 years. Whether or not marine organisms thriving in this cold stenothermal environment are able to cope with warming is of concern. Here, we present changes to the growth and shell characteristics of the ecologically important, small and short lived brooding bivalve Lissarca miliaris from Signy Island, Antarctica. Using material collected from the 1970's to the present day, we show an increase in growth rate and adult shell deterioration accompanied by a decrease in offspring size, associated with an increase in annual average temperatures. Critical changes to the bivalve's ecology seen today evidence the problem of a shift in baseline since the onset of warming recorded in Antarctica. These small bivalves are demonstrating ecophysiological responses to subtle warming that, provided warming continues, could soon surpass a physiological tipping point, adding to warming associated threats such as increased predatory pressure and ocean acidification.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	10.1371/journal.pone.0053477
Programmes:	BAS Programmes > Polar Science for Planet Earth (2009 - ) > Environmental Change and Evolution
ISSN:	1932-6203
Additional Information. Not used in RCUK Gateway to Research.:	This work is distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License together with an author copyright. This license does not conflict with the regulations of the Crown Copyright.
Date made live:	27 Feb 2013 14:27 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/500169

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