Climate-driven benthic invertebrate activity and biogeochemical functioning across the Barents Sea polar front.

ABSTRACT: Arctic marine ecosystems are undergoing rapid correction in response to multiple expressions of climate change, but the consequences of altered biodiversity for the sequestration, transformation and storage of nutrients are poorly constrained. Here, we determine the bioturbation activity of sediment-dwelling invertebrate communities over two consecutive summers that contrasted in sea-ice extent along a transect intersecting the polar front. We find a clear separation in community composition at the polar front that marks a transition in the type and amount of bioturbation activity, and associated nutrient concentrations, sufficient to distinguish a southern high from a northern low. While patterns in community structure reflect proximity to arctic versus boreal conditions, our observations

SUBMITTER: Solan M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7481672 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature