Observations and models to support the first Marine Ecosystem Assessment for the Southern Ocean (MEASO)

Abstract

Assessments of the status and trends of habitats, species and ecosystems are needed for effective ecosystem-based management in marine ecosystems. Knowledge on imminent ecosystem changes (climate change impacts) set in train by existing climate forcings are needed for adapting management practices to achieve conservation and sustainabililty targets into the future. Here, we describe a process for enabling a marine ecosystem assessment (MEA) by the broader scientific community to support managers in this way, using a MEA for the Southern Ocean (MEASO) as an example. We develop a framework and undertake an audit to support a MEASO, involving three parts. First, we review available syntheses and assessments of the Southern Ocean ecosystem and its parts, paying special attention to building on the SCAR Antarctic Climate Change and Environment report and the SCAR Biogeographic Atlas of the Southern Ocean. Second, we audit available field observations of habitats and densities and/or abundances of taxa, using the literature as well as a survey of scientists as to their current and recent activities. Third, we audit available system models that can form a nested ensemble for making, with available data, circumpolar assessments of habitats, species and food webs. We conclude that there is sufficient data and models to undertake, at least, a circumpolar assessment of the krill-based system. The auditing framework provides the basis for the first MEASO but also provides a repository (www.SOKI.aq/display/MEASO) for easily amending the audit for future MEASOs. We note that an important outcome of the first MEASO will not only be the assessment but also to advise on priorities in observations and models for improving subsequent MEASOs. Highlights • An audit of the survey data and models available to assess the status of Southern Ocean biota • This audit will inform the first Marine Ecosystem Assessment for the Southern Ocean (MEASO) • An ensemble of models can be used for circumpolar assessments of krill based system • MEASO-1 will identify risks of climate change impacts and needs for management

Overcoming the Obstacles Faced by Early Career Researchers in Marine Science: Lessons From the Marine Ecosystem Assessment for the Southern Ocean

“…Following the conference, ECRs participated in a range of essential roles related to the MEASO assessment process. One of the more significant roles included co-authoring, and in some cases, leading articles for this Research Topic as well as previous MEASO publications [e.g., Brasier et al (2019)]. Another unique role involving ECRs included writing, editing and the reviewing of Wikipedia-style MEASO biota pages for FIGURE 1 | Early career researcher (ECR) participation and resulting benefits from their involvement in the Marine Ecosystem Assessment for the Southern Ocean (MEASO).…”

Changing circumpolar distributions and isoscapes of Antarctic krill: Indo‐Pacific habitat refuges counter long‐term degradation of the Atlantic sector

“…The need for an integrated, circumpolar approach to understand climate change responses is widely recognized by Southern Ocean ecosystem research programs including ICED (Integrating Climate and Ecosystem Dynamics) and MEASO (Marine Ecosystem Assessment for the Southern Ocean) (e.g., Murphy et al 2016; Brasier et al 2019). These programs have begun to assess the circumpolar‐scale status and understanding of food web components (Constable et al 2016; Brasier et al 2019) with isotopic data on trophic level being recognized a core requirement (Bengtson Nash et al 2018; McMahon et al 2019). We contribute to this objective by providing δ 15 N and δ 13 C “isoscapes” from the CHINARE 2013/14 survey, (sensu Brault et al 2018) augmented by all available krill isotope data compiled from the literature.…”

Detecting Climate Signals in Southern Ocean Krill Growth Habitat

“…There is wide international recognition of the importance of understanding, and managing for, the impacts of climate variability and climate change on the Antarctic marine ecosystem (Brasier et al, 2019). We believe that the research presented here motivates questions regarding current management priorities.…”