North Sea ecosystem change from swimming crabs to seagulls
Luczak, C.; Beaugrand, G.; Lindley, J.A.; Dewarumez, J.-M.; Dubois, P.J.; Kirby, R.R. (2012). North Sea ecosystem change from swimming crabs to seagulls. Biol. Lett. 8(5): 4 pp. https://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2012.0474 In: Biology Letters. Royal Society Publishing: London. ISSN 1744-9561; e-ISSN 1744-957X, more |   |
| Keywords | Larus fuscus graellsii Brehm, 1857 [WoRMS]; Polybius henslowii Leach, 1820 [WoRMS]
Marine/Coastal | | Author keywords | climate change food web Larus fuscus graelsii plankton Polybius henslowii sea temperature |
| Authors | | Top | - Luczak, C., more
- Beaugrand, G.
- Lindley, J.A., more
| - Dewarumez, J.-M., more
- Dubois, P.J.
- Kirby, R.R.
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| Abstract | A recent increase in sea temperature has established a new ecosystem dynamic regime in the North Sea. Climate-induced changes in decapods have played an important role. Here, we reveal a coincident increase in the abundance of swimming crabs and lesser black-backed gull colonies in the North Sea, both in time and in space. Swimming crabs are an important food source for lesser black-backed gulls during the breeding season. Inhabiting the land, but feeding mainly at sea, lesser black-backed gulls provide a link between marine and terrestrial ecosystems, since the bottom-up influence of allochthonous nutrient input from seabirds to coastal soils can structure the terrestrial food web. We, therefore, suggest that climate-driven changes in trophic interactions in the marine food web may also have ensuing ramifications for the coastal ecology of the North Sea. |
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