Antarctica could soon be colonized by plants and animals as its coastline becomes less icy, according to a new study.
An increase in pockets of open water in Antarctica’s sea ice could see species from abroad one day establish themselves there, say scientists.
The study, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, ominously warned that the ecological implications behind cyclical climate changes in the region could be ‘huge’.
Scientists based in New Zealand and Australia sought to understand where open water might allow coastal species to settle in the future.
The researchers, led by Research Fellow Dr. Grant Duffy from the University of Otago’s Department of Marine Science, unexpectedly found that coastal polynyas – regions of ice that form where the winter winds move the adjacent pack ice away from the coast – are increasing dramatically around Antarctica.
The team said these polynyas follow an intriguing cycle; growing and shrinking roughly every 16 years.
“These trends are fascinating – and we haven’t noticed them before,” Dr. Duffy explained.
“We’re not completely sure what is driving the cyclical pattern, but the ecological implications could be huge.”
Dr. Ariaan Purich, a scientist at Monash University in Australia who studies ocean-atmosphere interactions, said the cyclical patterns appear to line up with atmospheric drivers including the Southern Annular Mode – a climate phenomenon that circles Antarctica and influences weather in New Zealand and Australia.
The study co-author said: “Recent record-low Antarctic sea ice coverage has been linked with ocean warming.
“In coastal environments, large-scale atmospheric variability and trends can interact with changing ocean conditions to shape the extent of sea ice.
“These findings give us exciting insights that will help us predict coastal sea ice coverage in the future.”
Professor Ceridwen Fraser, a senior author of the study also of the University of Otago’s Department of Marine Science, says the results are also critically important for predicting what will happen to coastal ecosystems in Antarctica as the climate warms.
“We know that many non-native plants and animals can reach Antarctica, for example by rafting on floating kelp,” she explained.
“At the moment, most of them can’t settle because of coastal ice scour.
“Less ice could create opportunities for some coastal plants and animals to establish – with big implications for native Antarctic coastal ecosystems.”
“Our research shows that areas of open water along Antarctic coasts, in particular, are growing in area as the climate warms,” Dr. Duffy added.
“These changing coastal environments will mean ecosystems have to adapt and change.”
Produced in association with SWNS Talker
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